The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) estimates that approximately 3.6 million people could be affected by this policy, which aims to strengthen fraud detection and national security.

This new policy would require all immigration benefit applicants to provide their social media handles and platform names, although passwords will not be collected.

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a 60-day notice for public comments on the proposal, inviting feedback until May 5, 2025.

This public comment period allows stakeholders to voice their opinions on the expansion of social media surveillance to individuals already legally present in the U.S.

The broader implications of the proposal include potential chilling effects on free speech and the risk of discriminatory practices, particularly against Muslim applicants.

U.S. immigration officials are proposing an expansion of social media handle collection for individuals applying for immigration benefits, including green cards and citizenship, as mandated by a recent executive order.

Critics, including civil rights advocates, argue that the proposal extends government surveillance to individuals who have already undergone extensive vetting, raising concerns about privacy and discrimination.

Concerns have been raised about the reliability of social media information and its interpretation, which could complicate high-stakes immigration decisions.

Experts warn that while artificial intelligence tools are being used to analyze social media data, they have limitations and may not replicate the nuanced judgment of trained security personnel.

The proposal also poses potential First Amendment implications, as it may infringe on the rights of individuals, including non-citizens, to express themselves without government repercussion.

The government's use of social media for immigration vetting has been increasing since 2014, with significant developments under both the Obama and Trump administrations.

This shift indicates a growing reliance on social media for making critical immigration decisions, reflecting a trend towards increased government surveillance.