Washington, D.C. — The U.S. State Department has begun conducting social media checks for foreign nationals and temporarily canceled several H-1B and H-4 visas, officials confirmed. They clarified that the move is precautionary and not permanent.
As part of the new process, the department issued guidelines requiring visa holders and applicants to set their social media accounts to public. Following this directive, several individuals received emails from U.S. consulates notifying them of advance visa cancellations.
Immigration officials assured that the cancellations would not impact the lawful status of individuals currently residing in the U.S. However, they explained that anyone leaving the country would need to obtain a new visa stamp before returning.
Officials also indicated that visas of individuals with prior police or criminal records could be permanently canceled after further review.
H-1B Visa Cancellations Worry Indian Tech Professionals
The H-1B visa cancellations and the increased monitoring are expected to significantly affect Indian tech professionals working in the U.S. Immigration lawyers have advised applicants to carefully review their online presence and ensure it aligns with U.S. guidelines.
They warned that even old or misinterpreted content online could come under scrutiny during visa processing or renewal. Authorities emphasized that the new measures aim to bolster national security.
The U.S. State Department stated that these checks are part of a larger effort to strengthen vetting procedures and ensure compliance with immigration laws. They also noted that further updates may be issued in the coming weeks.
