The U.S. Department of State is now requiring nearly all applicants for U.S. visas to submit their social media usernames, handles, screen names, or other identifiers associated with social media profiles—along with previous email addresses and phone numbers used in the past five years. These accounts will give the government access to photos; locations; family, friend and acquaintance names; dates of birth; and many other personal identifiers and data shared on social media.

While this move may seem to require an alarming level of information from visa applicants, it should not come entirely as a surprise. In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security began requiring some U.S. visa or status applicants to disclose their social media history before entering the country, as part of the Trump Administration’s “extreme vetting” at the borders. Border agents also have been searching the phones and other electronic devices of foreigners requesting admission to the U.S. over the past two years, conducting “digital strip searches” likely focused on identifying terrorists and rooting out immigration fraud, misrepresentation or any activities that might make someone inadmissible to the U.S. This latest move by the Department of State was actually proposed more than a year ago, in March 2018. Even dating back to the Obama administration, the U.S. Department of State began asking visa applicants to voluntarily submit their social media information.

It certainly shouldn’t be surprising to those who have been crossing the border over the past two years and have witnessed first-hand the shift in policies and practices pertaining to the admission of non-U.S. citizens. That said, not everyone is traveling frequently—and despite all the warning signs, many individuals worldwide continue to advertise their thoughts and activities on social media accounts. This poses a continued danger in gaining admissibility to the U.S., since as we all know, perception is not always reality. If a government official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Department of State has reason to believe that you have committed (or will commit) an act that makes you inadmissible to the U.S., your ability to travel to America becomes markedly more difficult, or impossible. You may have to overcome perceptions and assumptions that could delay or derail your planned visitor or business activities in the States.

Actions or affiliations published online can have far-reaching—even previously unimaginable—consequences in today’s heated U.S. immigration environment. For example, take the case of the recent American reporters, attorneys and activists who were labeled “suspected organizers, coordinators, instigators, and media” warranting being pulled aside and questioned when crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. CBP had also compiled dossiers on some of the 52 individuals, with the help of intelligence from Mexican officials, according to news reports.

In the Digital Age, it’s amazing how quickly personal practices that used to be common sense have become educational imperatives. LMWF advises caution in all cases when it comes to social media use. While immigration is certainly not the #1 reason for most people to be careful online (or perhaps, even in your top 10!), it’s certainly something that should be on your radar, even from a young age. Don’t say or disclose something online that you wouldn’t want the whole world—including the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Customs and Border Protection—knowing. Now or ever.

The full list of social media platforms currently being referenced in the Department of State immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applications includes the following: