The Trump administration implemented a policy change late last month that calls for government officials to request social media profiles and handles used during the last five years from people applying for a U.S. visa.
The change took effect May 25, ABC News reported.
In addition to requesting five years’ worth of social media profiles, consular officers handling visa applications can also ask applicants for 15 years of biographical information, including more detail about their family members, information about their travel, employment, and residence, and past passport numbers.
Officials previously requested five years’ worth of such information.
According to the State Department, the new rule applies to visa applicants “who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism and national security-related visa ineligibilities.”
The State Department estimates the rule will affect roughly 65,000 applicants each year, or 0.5 percent of all visa applicants.
The change was made as President Trump has upped his calls for the “extreme vetting” of people looking to come to the U.S.
Trump called on the Departments of State and Homeland Security to enhance the screening and vetting process for visa applicants in March, and many Republican lawmakers have warned of the dangers of social media in the spread of terrorist propaganda.
House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz said in an interview Monday on Fox News he and others “begged” the Obama administration to examine the social media accounts of people applying for visas, since that research can quickly reveal support for terrorist groups or other characteristics that might lead to a visa denial.
