Senate Democrats asked the Obama administration to tighten its background check process Tuesday after two federal agencies said Monday that screening applicants’ social media profiles is not part of their procedures.
If someone is seeking a visa to the U.S. they should be as thoroughly vetted as possible – including their posts on social media
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 15, 2015
Twenty-one Democratic senators – nearly half of the 44 total – sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson Tuesday citing “deep concern” for the government’s security shortfalls.
“We believe these checks, focused on possible connections to terrorist activity, should be incorporated into DHS’s vetting process for visa determinations, and that this policy should be implemented as soon as possible,” the senators wrote.
Reviewing public social media posts of those seeking US visas is essential to determining if they have any connection to terrorist activity
— Martin Heinrich (@MartinHeinrich) December 15, 2015
The request comes just days after FBI officials confirmed that Tashfeen Malik, one of the shooters in the San Bernardino terrorist attacks, had published posts to Facebook declaring her allegiance to the Islamic State prior to being approved for a K-1 fiancee visa.
