Alarming news for privacy rights and freedom of speech: DHS is planning to collect social media information on all immigrants, including permanent residents and naturalized citizens, who are American citizens, by the way. This would also affect many US citizens who communicate with immigrants ( e.g. attorneys, immigration lawyers, translators, certain law enforcement officials, civil surgeons, etc).
The new rule takes effect October 18, 2017.
This is a part of a larger process of high-tech surveillance of immigrants and people being subjected to social media screening. This is a growing trend at the DHS, which is viewed by many as an invasion of privacy and freedom of speech deterrent.
The rule was published in Federal Register and takes effect on October 18, 2017.
Additional categories of people whose social media accounts will be collected by DHS are:
--Civil Surgeons who are required to conduct and certify medical examinations for immigration benefits; and
--Law enforcement officers who certify a benefit requestor's cooperation in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal activity (for U visa);
--Preparers assisting an individual seeking an immigration benefit or agency action under the INA;
--Interpreters assisting an individual seeking an immigration benefit or agency action under the INA;
--Attorneys, lawyers or representatives recognized by USCIS or accredited by the BIA; or
--Law enforcement officers who certify a benefit requestor's cooperation in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal activity.
See rule here, and read more here.
The new rule takes effect October 18, 2017.
This is a part of a larger process of high-tech surveillance of immigrants and people being subjected to social media screening. This is a growing trend at the DHS, which is viewed by many as an invasion of privacy and freedom of speech deterrent.
The rule was published in Federal Register and takes effect on October 18, 2017.
Additional categories of people whose social media accounts will be collected by DHS are:
--Civil Surgeons who are required to conduct and certify medical examinations for immigration benefits; and
--Law enforcement officers who certify a benefit requestor's cooperation in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal activity (for U visa);
--Preparers assisting an individual seeking an immigration benefit or agency action under the INA;
--Interpreters assisting an individual seeking an immigration benefit or agency action under the INA;
--Attorneys, lawyers or representatives recognized by USCIS or accredited by the BIA; or
--Law enforcement officers who certify a benefit requestor's cooperation in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal activity.
See rule here, and read more here.
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