On Thursday, August 6, the United States announced it would expand social media screening for foreign visa applicants—including foreign journalists—as part of President Donald Trump’s move to tighten immigration policy.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt shared an article from *The Daily Signal* on X noting that the State Department has extended social media screening to additional categories of foreign visas.
“Screening online profiles aims to allow applicants to demonstrate that they meet visa eligibility requirements under U.S. law and to ensure that no individual poses a security risk to the United States,” a State Department spokesperson stated in an email to the media.
This measure already applies to numerous visa categories for entry into the United States—including those for foreign students and cultural exchange participants, who are required to adjust their profile settings to public.
It will now also apply to foreign journalists and certain citizens of Mexico and Canada. The policy has drawn criticism from NGOs citing privacy concerns. The objective is clear: to identify individuals who might betray or threaten America before they set foot on U.S. soil.
