Washington, 4 December (H.S.): The Trump administration has instituted enhanced vetting procedures for H-1B visa applicants, expanding scrutiny to include any involvement in censorship or suppression of free speech, especially within the technology sector, according to a State Department directive issued December 2.

Under the new measures, US consular officers must thoroughly investigate applicants' employment histories, including work in misinformation control, content moderation, fact-checking, and online safety roles.

Applicants found complicit in censoring protected expression in the US may be deemed ineligible under immigration law. The policy applies to both new and repeat applicants, significantly impacting tech professionals from countries like India and China.

This shift reflects the administration's broader focus on combating perceived suppression of conservative voices online and intensifies scrutiny of foreign workers in strategic industries. The measure follows previous tightening of visa and social media screening protocols and aligns with Republican efforts to prioritize American workers and free speech protections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar