Be careful what you post on social networks: the US immigration controls and you could be deported

You own what is silent and a slave to what is said. That old adage would be good to remember every time we visit social networks. If you plan to travel to the United States, they themselves may uncover a situation that puts you at risk.

Caution and common sense should be the north in everything, even digital scenarios.

Immigration lawyers reminded Telemundo 47 of the case of a woman who was deported upon arrival at the Houston airport from Guatemala.

“The woman came to work while holding a tourist visa and she left a record of it on her social networks, which the immigration officials accessed when they checked her phone for more than an hour,” they explained on the American chain.

The legal professionals stressed that the person should know “an immigration officer will need their electronic devices and their respective passwords to check your fingerprint.”

If you share this information on social networks, you may be denied the United States visa

Cases that the networks “give away”.

Dot the i’s and cross the t’s as you explain why you are applying for a visa and why you are traveling to the United States. Lying or being silent about a topic takes its toll later on if you are one of those who like to vent your daily life on social networks.

In Telemundo 47, they told of situations based on cases revealed by Department of Homeland Security officials:

Why you should take care of your social networks

These four pieces of advice are offered by the mentioned chain:

1. Not everything is a joke or taken as a joke

No “joke” about violence, gang membership, terrorism, or other serious issues is laughable

2. Awaiting what third parties say, your friends

“Just because you weren’t the one who made the publication doesn’t mean it won’t be seen,” they warn.

They explain that “if a friend posts something implying support for terrorism or gangs and shares it with the public, it doesn’t matter if it’s not your post. It may still be a reason to subject you to a close examination.

3. The fingerprint is saved

The authorities review all activity on social networks, regardless of how long you have been active.

4. Your networks, your mirror

They advise, “How you present your relationships online should reflect what you report to DHS.”

Everything under magnifying glass for safety

The Graham Jury Bureau states on its website that as of September 2019, “Visa applicants of any type of visa to enter the United States are required to make public any social media profiles they have.”

They point out that the Immigration Office or the National Visa Center must provide your username on request, for example in your Facebook profile of the last five years.

There are cases where “you must provide all your emails and phone numbers that you have used in the past five years.”

You will ask yourself: Why are they asking you that?

Migration reasons to check your social networks

Examples of social media reviews

The Jurado Graham firm described two situations characterized by the networks throwing all migration attempts to the ground:

They explain that Santa Muerte is a saint who is considered a ‘protector’ by drug traffickers.” That person, the lawyers say, “put the case in an administrative proceeding and it didn’t come out.”

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The data

According to Telemundo 47, in February 2021, the First Circuit Court of Appeals approved the policies followed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. It is known as the Alasaad v. Mayorkas.

For example, what if I don’t hand over the phone?

The answer to the question is offered by Telemundo 47: “Yes, you can deny access to your phone, but border agents can still confiscate the device and try to unlock it on the spot, even sending it to experts to gain access .”

They can also make copies of the devices for later examination, they say.

If you are a citizen, “they will let you enter the country. The others should even consider the idea of ​​having the procedure or income rejected.”

The golden rule What they offer, from the Graham Jury office, to migrants is simple: “Don’t post anything on your social networks that you wouldn’t personally share with an immigration officer.”