The Donald Trump administration has ordered stricter scrutiny for H-1B visa applicants, including checks on LinkedIn profiles and resumes. The move targets involvement in free speech censorship. This visa, vital for US tech firms, now faces deeper vetting.
The Donald Trump administration sent a cable on December 2, 2025, to all US missions, directing consular officers to review resumes and LinkedIn profiles of H-1B visa applicants and their accompanying family members. The scrutiny focuses on employment histories in areas such as misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance, and online safety. If evidence emerges that an applicant was responsible for or complicit in censoring protected expression in the United States, they would be deemed ineligible under a specific provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The policy applies to all visa applicants but calls for heightened review of H-1B cases, as these workers often enter the technology sector, including social media or financial services firms accused of suppressing protected expression. Officials are instructed to thoroughly explore applicants' full employment histories to ensure no participation in such activities. The requirements cover both new and repeat applicants.
H-1B visas are crucial for US tech companies that recruit heavily from countries like India and China. Many of these firms' leaders supported Trump in the recent presidential election. The administration has prioritized free speech, particularly against what it views as the stifling of conservative voices online. Previously, new fees were imposed on H-1B visas in September, and student visa vetting was also tightened.