Trump administration mandates increased screening for H-1B visa applicants

WASHINGTON, Dec 3 The Trump administration announced on Wednesday a new directive increasing scrutiny of H-1B visa applicants, particularly focusing on individuals involved in content moderation or censorship of free speech. According to an internal memo from the State Department, applicants linked to censorship activities may be deemed ineligible.

H-1B visas, which enable U.S. companies to hire foreign specialists in technical fields, are vital for technology firms that recruit extensively from countries such as India and China. Many executives in these firms supported Trump during the last presidential election.

The memo, distributed to all U.S. diplomatic missions on December 2, instructs consular officers to examine resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and the work history of applicants and accompanying family members. The review targets roles in misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance, online safety, and similar areas.

The directive specifies: if evidence is found that an applicant participated in or facilitated censorship of protected expression in the U.S., consular officers should determine that the applicant is ineligible under a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This enhanced vetting, particularly for H-1B applicants working in tech, has not been previously disclosed.

The memo emphasizes a thorough investigation of employment history to confirm applicants were not involved in suppressing free expression. These vetting standards apply to both first-time and returning applicants.

A State Department spokesperson stated, We do not support foreigners coming to the United States to act as censors over American citizens. The spokesperson added that President Trump himself had been affected by social media account restrictions and aims to prevent similar situations for others.

This policy aligns with the administrations broader emphasis on protecting free speech, especially regarding online conservative voices. Officials have also criticized European nations for allegedly limiting right-wing speech, including viewpoints on immigration.

Previously, the Trump administration tightened student visa screenings by checking applicants social media posts for anti-U.S. content. In September, additional fees were introduced for H-1B visas as part of broader immigration measures. Trump and Republican allies have accused the Biden administration of promoting online speech suppression through policies targeting misinformation on elections and vaccines.

Author: Lucas Grant