Do SA refugee applicants have to make their social media profiles public?
South African applicants for the US refugee status programme are questioning whether a recent directive about making their social media accounts public applies to them.
Last week, the US Embassy notified visa applicants that screening and vetting would be extended to their online presences.
According to reports, 1000 Afrikaners will be resettled in the US by September as part of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.
Last week, the US Embassy instructed all applicants for the F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 'public.'
This was part of their comprehensive vetting, which was extended to include individuals' online presence.
The F, M, and J visas are open to students and are intended for educational purposes and not extended stays in the country.
According to US intelligence expert Chris Wyatt, the social media clause outlined by the US Embassy is non-applicable to refugee applicants.
He said in a clip posted on social media: 'Unless you're told by the Refugee Assistance Programme that you need to open it so they can see it, it's not something that affects you'.
He continued: 'Relax, take a deep breath. It's all going to be fine. Do not panic'. @edlin1344 South African Refugees and Social Media Requirements#edlin1344 ♬ original sound – Edlin
Wyatt added that there was a possibility that authorities would want to screen social media profiles in selected cases.
He added: 'As a former federal law enforcement official, I would definitely want to be looking at people's social media when I'm trying to determine whether they're the right sort of people to come to America.
'Regardless of what programme they're applying for'.
According to the US Embassy, applicants for the refugee programme must meet the following criteria. Be South African
Be of Afrikaner ethnicity or be a member of a racial minority in South Africa.
Must be able to articulate an experience of persecution or fear of future persecution.
Applicants who met the criteria were encouraged to complete and submit a Statement of Interest form.
In line with US President Donald Trump's claims of 'racial discrimination', applicants must prove that they have been 'persecuted' in their applications. 1000 Afrikaner refugees will reportedly be resettled in the US in the next few months. This forms part of President Donald Trump's Executive Order.
Image via Canva
In the Statement of Interest form, applicants are required to specify if the 'persecution' was based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, membership of a social group, or a fear of 'future harm'.
Other questions included when the prospective 'refugee' would like to travel to the US, how many family members they would like to bring, and if interested parties have a valid passport.
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