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Original Date Announced
October 21, 2020DOS is proposing revisions to Form DS-5535, Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants, which collects information from certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants worldwide "who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism, national security-related, or other visa ineligibilities." While the Department previously required applicants completing the DS-5535 to provide their social media platforms and identifiers, also known as social media handles, used during the last five years, and phone numbers and email addresses used during the last five years, the form will no longer include those fields as they will now be incorporated into the DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application and DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. [ID #1124]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 11228] 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Supplemental Questions for Visa ApplicantsSubsequent Trump and Court Action(s)
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January 1, 2024
01.01.2024_Complaint, Pars Equality Center v. Blinken
Iranian plaintiffs seeking nonimmigrant visas and the nonprofit Pars Equality Center have filed a complaint in the Northern District of California alleging that this Trump-era policy is a "pseudo-travel ban" due to the long processing delays it creates for certain visa applicants. The policy, which requires visa applicants to complete form DS-5535 if either an individual consular officer or an algorithm determines that the applicant is a threat to national security, has been retained by the Biden administration. Plaintiffs allege that the policy has created delays in visa processing ranging from a few months to two years.
*Litigation is listed for informational purposes and is not comprehensive. For the current status of legal challenges, check other sources.
View Document
Biden Administration Action: Under Study
February 5, 2021DOS 30-Day Notice and Request for Comments on Form DS-5535
On February 5, 2021, the DOS provided an additional 30-day comment period for the public to submit comments on proposed changes to Form DS-5535.
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Approved/Retained
May 11, 2021OMB approves information collect request
On 05/11/2021, OMB approved this information collection.
View DocumentCurrent Status
Fully in EffectMost Recent Action
May 11, 2021 Action: Approved/Retained OMB approves information collect requestFebruary 5, 2021Acted on by Biden Administration
May 11, 2021Acted on by Biden Administration
Original Trump Policy Status
Status: In LitigationTrump Administration Action: Forms and Information CollectionSubject Matter: Immigrant Visas Non-Immigrant VisasAgencies Affected: Bureau of Consular AffairsAssociated or Derivative Policies
- March 6, 2017 President issues memo implementing heightened vetting of visa applications and reporting requirements
- May 4, 2017 DOS issues new supplemental questionnaire (Form DS-5535) for enhanced vetting
- March 30, 2018 DOS adds social media questions to Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application
- August 28, 2018 DOS adds social media questions to Forms DS-156 and DS-160, Applications for Nonimmigrant Visa
Pre Trump-Era Policies
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The following Form DS-5535 was previously in effect.
Form DS-5535
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
Biden Administration Policy Documents
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