Date Announced

DOS requests public comment on proposed revisions to Form DS-160 and DS-156, Applications for Nonimmigrant Visas, 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 #914]

See Biden administration action below.

Subsequent Action

The Department of State implemented this policy on May 31, 2019.

Subsequent Action

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.**

Biden Administration Action

In their status update to the court on May 28, 2021, 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.**