U.S. government wants to screen immigrants’ social media before granting citizenship

Immigrants applying for certain benefits may soon be required to provide links to their social media activity as part of the application process.

The Department of Homeland Security wants to be able to review information posted on social media over the last five years by immigrants who apply for nine types of benefits — including U.S. citizenship through naturalization, asylum and changes on permanent residence through marriage — according to a notice published in the Federal Register.

“U.S. Government departments and agencies involved in screening and vetting, to include DHS,...