Washington [US], December 7 (ANI): The White House on Saturday signaled renewed momentum for its immigration agenda, linking tighter employment-related rules to its broader “America First” policy.
In a post on X, the White House wrote, “AMERICA FIRST,” adding that “President Trump is cracking down on work permits and tightening the vetting process.” The administration has introduced stricter screening for H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents, including mandatory social media checks effective December 15.
Under the new guidance, applicants for H-1B and H-4 visas, along with F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applicants, must set all social media profiles to public so consular officers can review online activity as part of visa adjudication. The State Department emphasized that obtaining a visa is “a privilege and not a right” and called every visa decision a national security determination. Officials will use all available information to assess admissibility and potential security risks, saying the United States “must be vigilant” to ensure applicants do not intend harm.
The move has raised concern among Indian nationals, who make up a large share of H-1B workers in the United States. It follows other Trump-era measures targeting the H-1B program — including a September proclamation imposing a one-time USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B applications, a step expected to affect Indian professionals.
Separately, Washington has temporarily suspended processing of Green Card, naturalization and other immigration applications for nationals from 19 “countries of concern” following a shooting in Washington, DC. A USCIS memo directed officials to place all asylum claims on hold pending review after the incident that killed US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically injured US Air Force Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe, 24. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Lakanwal, reportedly entered the US through Operation Allies Welcome, the program for Afghan arrivals after the 2021 Taliban takeover. (ANI)
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