The Trump administration has launched stricter checks on H-1B visa applicants who work in technology and related sectors. A State Department cable sent to all US missions on December 2 directs consular officers to examine applicants’ employment histories in detail. Officers now review resumes and LinkedIn profiles of applicants and their accompanying family members.
The new rules focus on people who worked in roles linked to content moderation, fact-checking, misinformation, online safety, and compliance. Officials aim to identify anyone who may have supported censorship of protected speech in the United States. If officers find evidence of such involvement, they are instructed to declare the applicant ineligible under a specific provision of US immigration law.
H-1B visas remain vital for American tech companies that hire heavily from India and China. Many of these companies supported Trump in the last election. The administration now argues that some tech platforms suppress conservative views, so it wants deeper scrutiny of workers in those areas.
The policy applies to both new and repeat visa applicants. It follows earlier measures that tightened student visa reviews and added new H-1B fees. Officials say the goal is stronger protection of free expression in the United States.
