Has anyone faced issues with their F-1 visa or Green Card process because of old social media posts? What kind of content should we avoid now?
who knows lol this current situation is unprecedented all around
I’ve heard that if customs officers think you’re suspicious when entering the U.S., they might check your social media. And I also remember that the DS-160 form used to ask for social media accounts — even though most people didn’t really fill that part out. 
So that’s not new.
As for what kind of content might cause issues, it’s pretty straightforward: avoid posting anything that goes against the rules of your visa. For example, if you’re on an F1 visa, it’s best not to mention working in the U.S. or plans to immigrate.
what about palestine/politics? those aren’t against f1 visa, but people are still getting visas revoked for these topics
Good question — I haven’t personally run into issues, but I’ve heard of cases where posts were flagged during visa interviews or background checks.
In general, it’s smart to avoid:
• Anything that suggests unauthorized work
• Jokes or comments about “visa hacks” or immigration loopholes
• Content that could be seen as politically extreme or violent
• Inconsistencies between your resume and online profiles (like LinkedIn)
Even if you delete old posts, cached versions can stick around. Better to keep things clean moving forward.
I saw it on the news, but have not heard real cases. Friends recently went through the borders with H1B and F1, and it seems pretty smooth. But they all come across in democratic states, not sure if you enter a red state, if the situation will be bad. Any DP on that?
How Social Media Can Impact Your Immigration Process
- DS-160 and DS-260 Forms :Since 2019, visa application forms (like DS-160 for F-1 and DS-260 for immigrant visas) ask for your social media handles from the past 5 years.Consular officers can and do review publicly available posts during background checks.
- USCIS and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) :Officers have broad discretion to review publicly available online content — especially if they suspect misrepresentation or intent inconsistent with your visa status.
- No Formal “Social Media Screening Criteria” Yet — but there’s evidence they look for:
- Security concerns (violent, extremist content)
- Evidence of immigrant intent on nonimmigrant visas (F-1, B-1/B-2)
- Fraud indicators (conflicting information between your posts and your immigration paperwork)
What Kind of Posts to Avoid or Review Carefully
- Publicly stating immigrant intent on F-1 or B-1/B-2 :(e.g., “Finally staying forever in the U.S.!” when you’re supposed to be on a temporary visa.)
- Contradictions with your visa purpose :(e.g., saying you’re “working full-time in the U.S.” while on a student visa without authorized CPT/OPT.)
- Extreme political posts :Especially anything advocating violence or extreme ideologies — even liking or resharing questionable content can be risky.
- Posts that suggest unlawful behavior :(e.g., working without authorization, overstaying visas, using fake documents.)
- Inconsistent location history :If you claim to be studying in California but post constant photos of living and working full-time in Texas, it could raise questions.
- Offensive or insensitive posts :Racist, sexist, or highly offensive comments could create character concerns — especially at the green card or citizenship stage.
Best Practices in 2025
- Lock down your privacy settings on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, etc.
- Review old posts from the past 5+ years and remove anything questionable.
- Be consistent between your immigration documents, employment, education history, and what you share publicly.
- Be cautious with public political activism — support is fine, but posts advocating illegal activities could cause trouble.
- Stay professional — think about your digital footprint like a public résumé.
Real Cases I’ve Seen :
- A student was flagged during F-1 visa renewal because he posted “Can’t wait to work full-time soon!” — but he hadn’t even started OPT yet.
- An H-1B applicant faced extra scrutiny because their LinkedIn profile made it seem like they started working before H-1B approval.
Bottom Line :
Social media alone rarely causes a denial, but it can absolutely trigger additional questions, RFEs, visa delays, or even denials if it suggests fraud, security risk, or status violations.