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Original Date Announced
March 30, 2018DOS requests public comment on revisions to Form DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application. DOS seeks to request information on Form DS-260 regarding the social media identifiers used by applicants for various social media platforms during the five years preceding the date of application. Other questions seek five years of previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, and international travel; all prior immigration violations; and whether specified family members have been involved in terrorist activities. [ID #876]
Federal Register: 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien RegistrationSubsequent Trump and Court Action
May 31, 2019Collection of Social Media Identifiers from U.S. Visa Applicants
These form changes went into effect on May 31, 2019.
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
December 5, 2019Doc Society, International Documentary Association v. Pompeo and Wolf Complaint
A pair of documentary film organizations sued the Trump administration over its requirement that foreigners disclose their social media accounts. Motion to dismiss pending in D.C. District Court as of 10/21/20 in Doc Society et al v. Pompeo (D.D.C.), Case No. 1:19-cv-03632.
Litigation is listed for informational purposes and is not comprehensive. For the current status of legal challenges, check other sources.
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
July 9, 202507.09.2025 DoS - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection Application for DS-260
On July 9, 2025, the State Department posted a notice in the Federal Register notifying the public that the agency is seeking approval for continued collection of information through the Electronic Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration form (DS-260) from the OMB. Notably, DOS is discontinuing the paper version of the form (DS-230), effective November 1, 2025. DOS provided 60 days for public comment.
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
July 9, 2025PRA Supporting Statement - 60-day PRA- DS-260 - 2025
Supporting statement to OMB
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
July 9, 2025Proposed Revised Form- 60-day PRA - DS-260 - 2025
Proposed revisions to Form DS-260
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Approved/Retained
May 28, 20212021.05.28 Defendants' Status Report, Doc Society et al. v. Blinken et al., No. 19-cv-3632 (TJK) (D.D.C. May 28, 2021)
In their status update to the court on May 28, 2021 regarding the case Doc Society v. Blinken, the Biden administration's DOS and DHS indicated that they did not anticipate taking any action that would moot the lawsuit challenging the Trump-era rule that requires millions of visa applicants each year to register their social media handles with the U.S. government.
**Litigation is listed for informational purposes and is not comprehensive. For the current status of legal challenges, check other sources.**
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Under Study
September 9, 20212021.09.09 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration
This Biden administration policy considers the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.
On September 9, 2021, DOS posted a notice of proposed revisions to Forms 260 and 230 and provided 60 days for public comment.
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Approved/Retained
February 11, 20222022.02.11 Doc Society v. Blinken, Civil Action No. 19-cv-3632 (TJK) (D.D.C., Feb. 11, 2022).
In Doc Society v. Blinken, the Biden administration indicates its approval and retention of the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.
**Litigation is listed for informational purposes and is not comprehensive. For the current status of legal challenges, check other sources.**
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Under Study
March 28, 20222022.03.28 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration
This Biden administration policy considers the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.
On March 28, 2022, DOS posted a notice of proposed revisions to Forms 260 and 230 and provided 30 days for public comment.
View DocumentCurrent Status
NoneMost Recent Action
March 28, 2022 Action: Under Study 2022.03.28 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien RegistrationMay 28, 2021Acted on by Biden Administration
September 9, 2021Acted on by Biden Administration
February 11, 2022Acted on by Biden Administration
March 28, 2022Acted on by Biden Administration
Original Trump Policy Status
Status: ProposedTrump Administration Action: Forms and Information CollectionSubject Matter: Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based Immigrant Visas: Family-Based Immigrant Visas: Diversity Immigrant Visas: Special ImmigrantAgencies Affected: DOSAssociated or Derivative Policies
- March 6, 2017 President issues memo implementing heightened vetting of visa applications and reporting requirements
- July 27, 2018 DOS proposes revisions to Form DS-230, Application for Immigrant Visa and Registration
- August 28, 2018 DOS adds social media questions to Forms DS-156 and DS-160, Applications for Nonimmigrant Visa
Pre Trump-Era Policies
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
Biden Administration Policy Documents
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Commentary
New York Times: U.S. Requiring Social Media Information From Visa Applicants
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