The White Home on Saturday highlighted contemporary momentum behind its immigration agenda, tying employment-related restrictions to its broader “America First” coverage framework.
In a publish on X, the White Home wrote, “AMERICA FIRST.”
It added, “President Trump is cracking down on work permits and tightening the vetting course of.”
In step with this method, the US authorities has rolled out enhanced screening necessities for H-1B visa candidates and their H-4 dependents, introducing necessary social media checks from December 15.
Below the brand new pointers, candidates should change their social media accounts to a “public” setting so officers can evaluation on-line exercise as a part of the visa evaluation course of.
In an order issued Wednesday, the US State Division mentioned, “To facilitate this vetting, all candidates for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to regulate the privateness settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public’.”
The division reiterated that getting a visa to enter the US is “a privilege and never a proper”, noting, “Each visa adjudication is a nationwide safety choice.”
It mentioned consular officers would depend on all accessible data to find out admissibility and assess safety dangers.
It additional famous that the US “have to be vigilant” to make sure that visa candidates don’t intend to trigger hurt.
The announcement has sparked concern amongst Indian nationals, who signify one of many largest teams of H-1B staff in the US.
The coverage shift follows different immigration-related steps below President Donald Trump’s administration, together with efforts to deal with alleged misuse of the H-1B programme often utilised by US know-how firms.
Earlier in September, Trump issued a proclamation titled Restriction on Entry of Sure Nonimmigrant Staff, levying a one-time price of USD 100,000 on new H-1B visa functions — a transfer more likely to have an effect on Indian professionals searching for employment within the US.
In one other improvement, Washington has quickly halted the processing of Inexperienced Card, citizenship, and different immigration functions for nationals belonging to 19 “nations of concern” after a capturing incident involving an Afghan citizen.
A US Citizenship and Immigration Providers (USCIS) memorandum issued Tuesday directs officers to “place on maintain” all asylum claims pending additional evaluation.
The motion was taken after a capturing in Washington, DC that resulted within the loss of life of US Military Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and left US Air Power Employees Sgt Andrew Wolfe, 24, critically injured.
The suspect, recognized as 29-year-old Lakanwal, reportedly arrived in the US by way of Operation Allies Welcome, a programme arrange for Afghan nationals following the 2021 Taliban takeover.