Homeland Security May Want Immigrants’ Social Media Passwords And Financial Records


Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told Congress on Tuesday that visitors to the United States could be asked to give up their social media passwords – and possibly even financial records – to officials upon entering the country.

Enhancing Security Checks

Kelly, the country’s top domestic security chief, mentioned during the congressional hearing that these measures are just some of many being considered. The enhanced security checks would apply to refugees and visa applicants from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen.

In his hearing with the House Homeland Security Committee, Kelly said:

“We want to get on their social media, with passwords: What do you do, what do you say? If they don’t want to cooperate then you don’t come in.”

When expanding on the idea of obtaining visitors’ financial records, Kelly explained:

“We can follow the money, so to speak. How are you living, who’s sending you money? It applies under certain circumstances, to individuals who may be involved in on the payroll of terrorist organizations.”

Ideas Without Action

Kelly stressed that under the current vetting process, immigration officials don’t have a lot of information to work with. The majority of the process is reviewing the applicant’s documentation and asking questions about their background.

However, it’s not clear if gaining access to an individual’s social media or financial records would add much in terms of helpful information. While Kelly maintained that these ideas were not yet concrete, it seems that they also haven’t been very well thought out.

According to an internal department memo obtained by MSNBC in 2015, the Obama administration also considered using visitors’ social media passwords to enhance security checks. Obviously, the policy was never adopted, or even voluntarily brought to the press like this administration is doing.

If I had to guess, I’d say that this will go much the way of almost every decision the Trump administration has made. Ultimately, it will be poorly thought out and even more poorly executed. It’s a pattern we’re all getting used to.

Featured image credit: screengrab from Twitter

Currently a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Has experience in diabetes and cancer research, as well as a background in marine biology. Writes science and health blogs on his website at http://dochogblog.weebly.com/blog