Kamal Ghorui
While consular officers can deny visas after going through the social media history of the applicants, it can happen to Green Card applicants too, New Jersey-based immigration lawyer Abhisha Parikh said. And this can even include old dating app activities as well. The case of Indian CEO Jasveer Singh being denied a B1/B2 visa has caused a stir after Singh took to X and slammed the lack of logic of the embassy that told him that his ties with India was not strong enough to convince the officer that he would not intend to settle in the US and will definitely return to India. Singh’s past social media comment criticizing Americans for electing President Donald Trump in 2016 surfaced and was touted as the actual reason for the visa denial — by social media commentators.
But as it turns out, social media comments can not only harm visa prospects but Green Card chances as well. Lawyer Parik pointed out five social media red flags that can stymy a Green Card application. Location inconsistenciesIf your application says Florida but your posts are always tagged in New York, that raises credibility concerns, Parikh said. Mentions about ‘side hustles’If there are social media posts mentioning freelance work, side hustles or “DM for services”, it can raise concern, making the employment look unauthorized. If posts do not match reported incomeLuxury trips, designer items, or expensive cars while on a student visa may trigger questions about unreported income or fraud, Parikh said. Timeline contradictionsComments or captions that don’t match your relationship or residency timeline can be used against you, the lawyer explained.Old dating app activityScreenshots or messages after claiming exclusivity or marriage can seriously undermine marriage-based cases, Parikh added.
