The United States government is preparing to increase the monitoring of social media profiles for individuals seeking entry visas, a move that includes foreign journalists. This initiative is part of broader immigration policy shifts under President Donald Trump. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the development by sharing a report indicating the State Department intends to apply these vetting requirements to a wider array of visa classifications.
Reports suggest that applicants will be expected to adjust their privacy settings to make profiles accessible to officials. A State Department representative stated that the agency regularly updates its security protocols to protect national safety and confirm that all visa holders meet legal eligibility requirements. Such measures are described as essential for ensuring that visitors do not present a security threat.
While many visa categories, such as student visas, already undergo this scrutiny, the new policy is set to include foreign media personnel as well as specific citizens from Mexico and Canada. This shift coincides with the administration’s recent efforts to tighten immigration controls and manage the duration of authorized stays. New regulations recently finalized will cap the residency period for foreign journalists at 240 days, while student visas will be limited to the duration of their academic coursework, capped at four years.
