White House tightens work permits, vetting process under ‘America First’ framework

The White House on Saturday emphasized the new momentum behind the immigration agenda and tied job restrictions to the broader “America First” policy framework. “AMERICA FIRST,” the White House wrote in a post about X. He added: “President Trump is tightening work permits and tightening the vetting process.

“In keeping with this approach, the U.S. government implemented mandatory social media checks starting December 15, introducing enhanced screening requirements for H-1B visa applicants and H-4 dependents. Under the new guidelines, applicants must change their social media accounts to a “public” setting so authorities can review online activity as part of the visa review process.

In an order issued Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said: “To facilitate this review, applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are directed to set the privacy settings on all social media profiles to ‘public.'” The Department reiterated that obtaining a visa to enter the United States is “a right, not a privilege,” adding, “Every visa decision is a national security decision.” will rely on all available information to determine acceptability and assess security risks. He also noted that the United States must “be careful” to make sure visa applicants do not intend to cause harm.

The announcement raised concerns among Indian nationals who represent one of the largest groups of H-1B workers in the United States. The policy change follows other immigration-related steps under President Donald Trump’s administration, including efforts to address alleged abuses of the H-1B program frequently used by U.S. technology companies. In early September, Trump issued a memorandum titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, which called for a one-time fee of US$. 100,000 in new H-1B visa applications – a move likely to impact Indian professionals seeking employment in the US. In another development, Washington temporarily halted processing of Green Card, citizenship and other immigration applications for citizens of 19 “countries of concern” following a shooting incident involving an Afghan national.

A memo from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released Tuesday directs officials to “hold” all asylum claims pending further review. The action was taken following a shooting in Washington DC that resulted in the death of US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and the serious wounding of US Air Force Chief of Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Lakanwal, reportedly came to the United States through Operation Allies Welcome, a program created for Afghan citizens following the Taliban’s rise to power in 2021.

(Except the headline, the story has not been edited by DNA staff but is published directly from ANI)