The US Department of State has issued new guidelines regarding the social media profiles of visa applicants. Visitors to the US are now required to keep their social media profiles public for screening purposes when applying for a visa. The announcement follows a decision by the State Department about the vetting of the online presence of visitors to the US.
The decision effects visas to students and those travelling on exchange programs.
The State Department is screening visitors to the US for their opinions and political positions and US State Secretary Marco Rubio recently said that the US has the right to reject entry to visitors who can threaten its foreign policy.
Meanwhile, the US Customs and Border Protection from the Homeland Security Department issued a statement about the Norwegian tourist who was denied entry to the US, stating that he was barred for admitting to drug use. Mads Mikkelsen told customs officials that he had used marijuana prior to traveling to the US. The Norwegian tourist claimed he was turned away after border officials demanded access to his phone and threatened him with a fine and a prison sentence if he did not comply. This is not the first instance of European visitors being turned away from the US reportedly due to issues of speech.
Newsroom
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