1 TheNextWeb

The Trump administration wants to extend its practice of “extreme vetting” to everyone seeking a non-immigrant
visa. Instead of specifically discriminating against people traveling from countries it’s declared tied to terrorism, it’ll
instead utilize a more evenly distributed form of discrimination against non-Americans.
According to documents set to publish in The Federal Register, if you want to come to the US on a non-immigrant
visa you’ll have to answer questions about your family’s involvement in terrorist activities. And you will also be
required to provide your social media handles, email addresses, and phone numbers going back five years.
Opponents of this move cite the privacy implications — some people might be inclined to think it’s none of the
US government’s business what social media accounts they use in private. Advocates, meanwhile, cite the need for
increased national security at any cost.
If there were any evidence to support “extreme vetting” worked, perhaps the Trump administration would consider
applying the same rigor to background checks performed on US citizens before allowing them to purchase firearms.
Fortunately the paperwork isn’t final. The document was filed ahead of publication, and beginning Friday March
30, it enters a 60 day commentary period. Citizens are encouraged to comment on the document during this time,
and we truly hope you take advantage of that opportunity.

2 TIME
(WASHINGTON) — The State Department wants to require all U.S. visa applicants to submit their social media
usernames, previous email addresses and phone numbers, vastly expanding the Trump administration’s enhanced
vetting of potential immigrants and visitors.
In documents to be published in Friday’s Federal Register, the department said it wants the public to comment on
the proposed new requirements, which will affect nearly 15 million foreigners who apply for visas to enter the U.S.
each year. Previously, social media, email and phone number histories were only sought from applicants identified for
extra scrutiny, such as those who have traveled to areas controlled by terrorist organizations. An estimated 65,000
people per year are in that category.
The new rules would apply to virtually all applicants for immigrant and non-immigrant visas. The department
estimates 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, according to the documents.
The documents were posted on the Federal Register’s website on Thursday but the 60-day public comment period
won’t begin until Friday’s edition is published.
If the requirements are approved by the Office of Management and Budget, applications for all visa types would 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. It would also give the applicant the option to volunteer information about social
media accounts on platforms not listed in the application.
In addition to their social media histories, visa applicants will be 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 may be exempted from the requirements, the documents
said.