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Social Media Screening For Visa Applicants: What USCIS Is Now Screening

Starting today, USCIS will begin screening the social media activity of immigrant applicants for antisemitic content and links to terrorism.

This includes applicants for:

  • 🟢 Green cards
  • 🎓 Student visas (F-1, J-1, etc.)
  • 🔗 Anyone connected to institutions or groups involved in antisemitic activity

📱 What Does This Mean for Immigration and Visa Applications?

👉 If you’re applying for any visa or immigration benefit, your online behavior matters.

👆 Posts, shares, or likes that support antisemitic violence or terrorist groups can be used as grounds to deny your application.

👉 USCIS now includes a social media screening for visa applicants, reviewing immigrants’ public posts as part of its background and security screening process.

This includes:

  • Support for Hamas, Hezbollah, or the Houthis (all designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the U.S. State Department)
  • Content that promotes or glorifies antisemitic attacks
  • Engagement with pages or content that advocate violence against Jewish people or institutions

💬 As stated by DHS leadership:

There is no room in the U.S. for terrorist sympathizers… You are not welcome here.”

🇺🇸 Why Is This Happening to Immigrants?

This move is part of a broader effort by the Department of Homeland Security and USCIS to combat antisemitism, enforce Trump-era executive orders, and enhance national security vetting.

USCIS is now expanding its use of publicly available social media data to identify red flags — especially among individuals associated with hate speech or groups considered a threat to U.S. interests.
This includes implementing a social media screenings for immigrant visa applicants as part of the updated security check.

📍This policy is effective immediately.

👩‍⚖️ What Should You Do on Social Media?

If you’re applying for a U.S. visa for immigration benefits:

  • Review your public social media posts
  • Remove any posts that could be misinterpreted as supporting hate or terrorism
  • Avoid engaging with pages or individuals that promote antisemitic or extremist views
  • Be prepared for a social media check for visa applications as part of USCIS’s screening process
  • Consult an immigration attorney if you’re unsure

📞 Need Help? We’re Here for You

If you’re concerned about how your online presence could affect your immigration case, contact Shepelsky Law Group today.

We provide:

  • 🔐 Confidential consultations
  • 🛡️ Legal advice on visa eligibility
  • 🧠 Guidance on how to avoid issues with USCIS screening

📱 Call us at (718) 769-6352 or visit www.ShepelskyLaw.com to schedule your consultation.