Trump Administration Orders Enhanced Vetting For H-1B Visa Applicants
Washington: The Trump administration announced Wednesday increased scrutiny of H-1B visa applicants for high-skilled workers, and an internal State Department memo said anyone who “censors” free speech will be considered for rejection.
H-1B visas, which allow US employers to employ foreign workers in their areas of expertise, are vital for US technology companies that recruit heavily from countries such as India and China. Many of the leaders of these companies supported Trump in the last presidential election.
The cable, sent to all U.S. missions on Dec. 2, orders U.S. consular officers to review the resumes or LinkedIn profiles of H-1B applicants and family members who will be traveling with them to see if they work in areas that include activities such as misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance and online security, among others.
“If you uncover evidence that an applicant is responsible for or complicit in censoring or attempting to censor protected expression in the United States, you must follow up with a finding that the applicant is ineligible under a specific section of the Immigration and Nationality Act,” the cable said.
Details of the enhanced review for H-1B visas, including a focus on censorship and freedom of expression, have not previously been reported. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment on the contents of the cable.
The cable stated that all visa applicants are subject to this policy, but requested more detailed review for H-1B applicants given that they often work in the technology industry, “including social media or financial services companies that engage in the suppression of protected speech.”
“You should thoroughly investigate their employment history to ensure they do not engage in such activities,” the cable said.
The new review requirements apply to both new and repeat applicants.
The Trump administration has made free speech, particularly the suppression of conservative voices online, a focal point of its foreign policy.
Authorities have repeatedly weighed in on European politics to condemn a crackdown on right-wing politicians, including in Romania, Germany and France, accusing European officials of censoring views such as criticism of immigration in the name of fighting disinformation.
In May, Rubio threatened a visa ban on people who censor Americans’ speech, including on social media, and suggested the policy could target foreign officials who regulate U.S. technology companies.
The Trump administration has significantly tightened its reviews of student visa applicants and ordered U.S. consular officers to screen social media posts that may be hostile to the United States.
Trump imposed new fees on H-1B visas in September as part of his sweeping crackdown on immigration.
Trump and his Republican allies have repeatedly accused Democratic former President Joe Biden’s administration of encouraging the suppression of free speech on online platforms; These allegations focused on efforts to block false claims about vaccines and elections.
