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The Trump administration on Wednesday announced new vetting for H-1B visa applicants, directing U.S. consular officers to deny entry to foreign workers found to have participated in the censorship of protected speech, according to an internal State Department memo.
The H-1B program, which allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialized fields, has long been relied upon by major technology firms, many of which recruit heavily from India and China.
The new requirement instructs consular staff to review applicants’ resumes and online profiles, as well as those of accompanying family members. Officers are told to look for past employment in areas such as misinformation, disinformation, content moderation and online safety.
“If you uncover evidence an applicant was responsible for, or complicit in, censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the United States, you should pursue a finding that the applicant is ineligible,” under a specific provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the memo states.
The memo emphasized heightened review for H-1B applicants because many work in technology fields, including in social media or financial services companies involved in the suppression of protected expression.”
“You must thoroughly explore their employment histories to ensure no participation in such activities,” it stated. The enhanced review applies to both first-time and returning applicants.
The administration has increasingly included free speech as a core component of its foreign policy and has criticized what it views as suppression of conservative viewpoints online. Officials have also challenged regulatory actions abroad, accusing European governments of limiting right-leaning political voices in the name of combating disinformation.
In May, Sen. Marco Rubio threatened visa bans for individuals involved in censoring Americans, including through actions taken by social media platforms, and suggested foreign regulators could be targeted.
The administration has already tightened vetting for student visas by requiring social media reviews and imposed new fees on H-1B visas as part of broader immigration changes in September.