Loune-Djenia Askew, Esq.
Mar 17, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on March 5, 2025, that social media identifiers will be collected on nine key immigration forms.
In a move to enhance security screening, the White House has introduced a new immigration policy requiring millions of applicants seeking benefits such as green cards and citizenship to disclose their social media information. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on March 5, 2025, that social media identifiers will be collected on nine key immigration forms.
This policy stems from Executive Order 14161, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” signed by President Trump on January 20, 2025. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) intends to use this data to verify identities and assess security risks.
Which Immigration Forms Require Social Media Disclosure?
The new rule applies to major immigration forms, including:
N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
I-485 (Application for Adjustment of Status)
I-589 (Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal)
I-131 (Application for Travel Document)
I-192 (Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant)
I-590 (Registration for Classification as Refugee)
I-730 (Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition)
I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence)
I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)
This change will affect an estimated 3.5 million applicants annually. The public has 60 days to submit comments before DHS decides whether to finalize, modify, or withdraw the rule.
USCIS and Social Media Monitoring: A Growing Trend
Social media monitoring in immigration cases isn’t new. The U.S. government has been using social media to detect fraud and assess security risks for years. Here’s a brief timeline of its expansion:
2016: USCIS established a Social Media Division for vetting purposes.
2017: The Trump administration introduced “extreme vetting” procedures, expanding social media scrutiny.
2019: The Department of State required visa applicants to disclose social media handles.
2021: The monitored platform list expanded to include foreign-based social media networks.
2025: Executive Order 14161 formalized social media data collection on key immigration forms.
While law enforcement agencies have long used social media in investigations, this policy represents a structured approach to incorporating social media vetting into routine immigration screenings.
For more information, contact our office at Askew & Associates, P.A. by calling 954-546-2699.
Disclaimer: this blog post is not intended to be legal advice. We highly recommend speaking to an attorney if you have any legal concerns.