The Trump administration began implementing stricter screening and vetting procedures on Dec. 15 of this year, which include checking social media profiles for H-1B visas amid an immigration crackdown.
However, pre-scheduled interviews for thousands of H-1B visa applicants in India, originally scheduled for the end of this month, have been unexpectedly delayed by several months and pushed back to March, April, May or even June 2026.
What should an H1B visa worker do to pass the social media screening process?
Davis Wright Tremaine, a law firm, noted on its website that visa applicants should carefully check their social media accounts to ensure that nothing contradicts the information in their applications.
The law firm also recommended that employees review their publicly accessible digital profiles to ensure they are consistent with the details on their applications, and reminded them to be vigilant about sharing sensitive information publicly, as inconsistencies could trigger further scrutiny.
Meanwhile, another law firm, Duane Morris, warned applicants not to delete posts or entire profiles because it could look like an attempt to withhold information if immigration officials noticed.
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Google, Apple react
Lawyers representing Google and Apple have already warned some employees who hold visas against traveling abroad, citing embassy delays caused by increased scrutiny.
According to Business Insider, Google’s legal counsel mentioned in a memo sent to employees on Thursday regarding visas: “Please be aware that some US embassies and consulates have significant delays in visa stamping, currently reported to be up to 12 months.”
In a similar move, Fragomen, the law firm that represents Apple, said in a memo sent last week that some visa holders at the company should avoid international travel.
“Due to recent updates and the possibility of unpredictable and longer delays in returning to the US, we strongly recommend that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp avoid international travel for the time being,” the memo said.
Read also | Donald Trump fanboy asks US tech firms to ‘de-Indianise’ workforce
What did the Foreign Office say?
The State Department emphasized that a US visa is a privilege rather than a right, and said it considers all available information during the visa process to identify applicants who may be inadmissible, particularly those who could pose a threat to national security or public safety.
The State Department also said it conducts comprehensive screening of all visa applicants, which includes checking the online presence of students and exchange visitors in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant categories, stressing that any visa decision is ultimately a matter of national security.
Key things
- Pre-scheduled interviews for thousands of H-1B visa applicants in India, originally scheduled for later this month, have been unexpectedly delayed by several months.
- The law firm recommended that employees review their publicly accessible digital profiles to ensure they are consistent with the details in their applications.
- The law firm of Duane Morris warned applicants not to delete posts or entire profiles.
