SANTO DOMINGO.- Foreigners applying for a visa to the United States will have to make their social media accounts public, according to a new regulation from the United States government under the administration of Donald Trump.
A memorandum cited by The Daily Signal states that applicants will not be allowed to have private profiles or configure their accounts to be visible only to friends, as the entity will demand full access to platforms such as X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, among others, to review what they post, what they think and who they interact with.
"The Department relies on all available sources of information during visa review and verification to identify applicants who may be inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to national security or public safety," El Tiempo reports.
It adds that the measure will be mandatory for diplomatic and official visas, as well as for temporary workers, apprentices, exchange visitors, religious workers and witnesses.
“We apply this rigorous verification standard uniformly to all visa applicants,” the memo, quoted by US media, states.
"Every decision regarding the granting of a visa is, fundamentally, a national security decision," the statement adds.
"The United States remains vigilant throughout the visa issuance process to confirm that applicants do not intend to harm Americans or threaten U.S. interests, and that each applicant can convincingly demonstrate that they meet the requirements for the visa requested, including a genuine intention to comply with the conditions of admission," the memorandum states.
“Receiving a U.S. visa remains a privilege granted at the government’s discretion, not an acquired right,” the statement said.
Furthermore, he emphasizes that, during President Donald Trump's administration, the entry of "foreign criminals" who do not respect US laws is not permitted.
"The Trump administration will never allow the United States to become home to foreign criminals who abuse our laws and victimize our people," the document states.
