Dominicans and nearly everyone applying for United States Visas should take note that from the month of July, the content of their social media page could now affect their application for legal access into the U.S.
That’s because the State Department is now requiring nearly all applicants for U.S. visas to submit their social media usernames, previous email addresses and phone numbers.
So this means even if someone deletes their account, the information is still relevant.
The US department is not only looking for terrorists but would use the facebook, instagram, twitter and other social media forums to scrutinize a person’s character.
According to media reports, it’s a vast expansion of the Trump administration’s enhanced screening of potential immigrants and visitors.
In a move that’s just taken effect after approval of the revised application forms, the department says it has updated its immigrant and non-immigrant visa forms to request the additional information, including “social media identifiers,” from almost all U.S. applicants.
The change, which was proposed in March 2018, is expected to affect about 15 million foreigners who apply for visas to enter the United States each year.
Social media, email and phone number histories had only been sought in the past from applicants who were identified for extra scrutiny, such as people who had traveled to areas controlled by terrorist organizations. An estimated 65,000 applicants per year had fallen into that category.
The department says collecting the additional information from more applicants “will strengthen our process for vetting these applicants and confirming their identity.”
The new rules apply to virtually all applicants for immigrant and non-immigrant visas. When it filed its initial notice to make the change, the department estimated it would affect 710,000 immigrant visa applicants and 14 million non-immigrant visa applicants, including those who want to come to the U.S. for business or education.
The new visa application forms list a number of social media platforms and require the applicant to provide any account names they may have had on them over the previous five years. They also give applicants the option to volunteer information about social media accounts on platforms not listed on the form.
In addition to their social media histories, visa applicants are now asked for five years of previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, international travel and deportation status, as well as whether any family members have been involved in terrorist activities.
Only applicants for certain diplomatic and official visa types are exempted from the requirements.
Francisco, for your edification (and others who may be interested), I have provided the following link to access a legitimate news source for this story:
https://www.stabroeknews.com/2019/news/regional/jamaica/06/05/new-visa-hurdle-social-media-posts-may-doom-us-travel-chances-says-jamaica-lawyer/
I hope you find it useful.
What about people like me with no facebook…
Fellow posters, here is a comment I posted recently in relation to the arrest of the Castle Bruce gentleman:
This gentleman appeared to have allegedly caught a case after possibly failing to heed the responsibilities and risks of social media engagement.
My simple, general advice is to always carefully review your intended online communication in order to sniff out any potential red flags. Also, think twice before hitting enter and creating an irretrievable and permanent digital record.
I fully understand that we can be very passionate about our personal opinions and political positions; however, we should try hard not to put ourselves at risk for being incarcerated or frittering away money for legal fees we may not have.
I wish the gentleman well in his legal challenge.
Though no Likes or Dislikes were generated, my advice still stands!!!
This is great news,all the nude pics and scandals will stay of social media,like this implementation.
I’m sure if China required this, then there would much bruhaha
So, what is the source of this information?Admin:
Can you provide a source such as the American Embassy, or the State Department where we can verify this information.
That seems like “they say to me.” That seems as something which originates in Dominica, to prevent Dominicans from expressing their views, and exposing the corruption of Roosevelt Skerrit to the world!
As far as I know Trump has created a venue where users on Face Book, and the others who expel people from their site because of their express opinions, which in America is Freedom of speech to report face book:
If one is not involve in terrorism they should not have any fear.
I believe that is fake, unless you can produce a source of that information!
ADMIN: This story has been widely reported from various sources. However, it is also on the US state department’s website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/20190604_collection-of-social-media-identifiers-from-U.-S.-visa-applicants.html
Okay, thanks for varying your source Admin:
Wallace, that will not clean up the vulgarity of anything you see on social media; because not everybody on earth crave coming to America; because most of the filth and the nasty conduct displayed on social media originate in America, besides I believe 99.9% of people conducting themselves that way are crazy people not using their true name!
The people who crave to come here are people generally from the very poor islands in the Caribbean, South America; and some places in Africa too.
The same kind of life one enjoys in America, the Europeans enjoy that and better!
Take the Health care services in America, and compare it to that of Canada, and any place in Europe, you will find it is better in Europe you see; America is not all that as most Dominicans, and other West Indians believe.
A lot of people came here looking for a better life and found worst okay!
You fraid man? Hahahhaha
If that is in response to me;I doh have nofing to farid; I is wan naturalized American citizen; nofing doh can change dat eh. even if I put pictures of me in me born suit, nobody can do nutton to me oui!
great news that will help clean up the filth that people put on social media long over due hope the folks get it.
This whole thing is about progressively restricting travel for the common people. In the not too distant future, very few people will be approved to fly at all and most of the airlines will go under. That is their plan under UN Agenda 21. It is a deceptive witch hunt. Everyone will be expected to stay put.
So happy, Some people talk so bad about America but they run to the USA to have their babies and also for medical treatment. Thanks America for standing up for country. Safety comes first. God bless America 🇺🇲🇺🇲❤💯.