Say goodbye to your green card in the U.S. – New USCIS policy could lead to you being denied based on your social media posts

The world has evolved, and what was formerly a private area can now be viewed as a massive magnifying glass that looks at everything. Things become considerably more serious when you apply for a Green Card. Social media posts are no longer exclusive for your friends and followers; the US government may now review them. What applicants disclose online has been taken extremely seriously by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a while.  Verifying that everything they claim on their application aligns with their online persona is a legitimate measure, not a sign of paranoia. That is, what you say in the Green card documents needs to be consistent with what you display on television.

A new USCIS policy could lead to your Green Card being denied

There are various ways to apply for U.S. residency, including through employment, family, marriage, etc. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) wants to confirm that everything is legal, regardless. For instance, social media is among the things that could be analyzed during the Green Card process. The government has been inquiring about applicants’ profiles for a long time. Although they can examine the available content and, in certain situations, request explanations if something seems suspect, it is not required that all accounts be made public.

If you claim to live in New York on your application, but your networks are flooded with recent images taken elsewhere, it can raise suspicions. This also applies if you request a Green Card based on marriage and your partner is not listed in any of your networks. USCIS may request additional evidence if something doesn’t line up, but they won’t make a decision based just on this. Social networks are a reflection of your actions, beliefs, and relationships. Sometimes, without recognizing it, you can be presenting data that, when taken out of context, could appear odd or even harmful to your application.

Consistency is one of the things they look at the most. You can have an issue if you filled out a form with specific information, but your networks have different information. They could also search for actions they believe to be dangerous or improper. Postings about violence, unlawful activity, or extremist speech can be problematic since the United States takes national security extremely seriously. The analysis might be much more thorough in circumstances involving marriage-based Green Cards. If there are no indications on social media that you and your spouse have a shared existence, or if your relationship doesn’t seem sincere, you can be requested to provide more evidence.  

A digital existence that aligns with your application declarations is more than just a collection of images. Therefore, being aware of what might be being watched is more important than completely wiping everything out or ceasing to use networks. It is a good idea to check your profiles for inconsistencies with the information you have provided in the official documents before submitting your application. Some decide to change their privacy settings in order to restrict who can view their content. 

Although it could be helpful, that does not preclude USCIS from obtaining specific information if it so chooses. It’s important to use common sense. Information that doesn’t fit your tale, contentious remarks, or humorous entries that could be interpreted incorrectly can all be issues. Being cautious and avoiding any potential misconceptions is the best course of action if you are in the middle of the application process. 

Could a social media post compromise your Green Card?

Not that your application will be automatically denied because of a single publication. However, if there are discrepancies between your application and what your networks show, USCIS may request additional supporting paperwork or even schedule an interview to address the matter. Thus, you should be conscious that every detail matters, but this does not imply that you should live in constant fear of what you reveal. A small mistake can cause needless worries or postpone the procedure. Social networks are now integral to a person’s public identity, not just for entertainment or communication. So, it’s crucial to ensure that what you post online accurately reflects your situation. This involves reviewing your posts, adjusting your profile privacy, and ensuring no contradictory information so they can decide whether you will receive a Green card or not.