WASHINGTON — The US government plans to expand social media screening for some visa applicants, including foreign journalists, as part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration policies, according to a report citing an internal State Department memo.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a Daily Signal report about the plan Thursday on X. The report said the State Department would extend social media vetting to applicants for additional visa categories.
The Daily Signal said it obtained an internal memo that would require affected applicants to set their social media accounts to “public” or “open” during the visa review process.
The State Department did not confirm the specific changes but told AFP that it regularly reviews its screening and vetting procedures.
“The department is constantly reviewing and evaluating screening and vetting procedures worldwide to ensure that our visa process upholds the highest standards for US national security and public safety,” a State Department spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said officials use online presence reviews to determine whether applicants qualify for visas under US law and whether they pose security or safety risks.
The United States already requires applicants for several visa categories, including student visas, to make their social media accounts publicly accessible.
According to the Daily Signal, the expanded screening would also cover foreign media representatives and some citizens of Mexico and Canada.
The reported changes come as President Donald Trump’s administration continues to tighten immigration and visa policies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that a US visa represents a privilege rather than a right.
The administration also finalized rules last month that would impose stricter limits on the length of stay for foreign students and journalists.
Under the planned changes, foreign students could receive admission for the length of their academic programs, subject to a maximum stay of four years.
Foreign journalists would face a 240-day limit, or about eight months, but could seek extensions for additional periods of similar length.