Security Screening: Media Identifiers and Application Forms

security screening: In a move that's just taken effect after approval of the revised application forms, the department says it has updated its immigrant and nonimmigrant visa forms to request the additional information, including social media identifiers, from almost all U.S. applicants, according to CTV. The change, which was proposed in March 2018, is expected to affect about 15 million foreigners who apply for visas to enter the United States each year. It's a vast expansion of the Trump administration's enhanced screening of potential immigrants and visitors. National security is our top priority when adjudicating visa applications, and every prospective traveller and immigrant to the United States undergoes extensive security screening, the department said. Social media, email and phone number histories had only been sought in the past from applicants who were identified for extra scrutiny, such as people who'd travelled to areas controlled by terrorist organizations. We are constantly working to find mechanisms to improve our screening processes to protect U.S. citizens, while supporting legitimate travel to the United States. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.