Majority support monitoring social media of immigration applicants
- A recent Economist/YouGov survey reveals that 53 percent of U.S. adult citizens support government monitoring of social media accounts of immigration applicants.
- Responses vary significantly along party lines, with 78 percent of Republicans in favor and a plurality of Democrats opposed.
- The trend indicates a growing acceptance of surveillance measures as part of national security efforts amid ongoing immigration policy debates.
In the United States, a recent survey conducted by Economist/YouGov from May 30 to June 2, 2025, revealed that more than half of adult citizens believe government should have access to monitor social media of individuals applying for immigration. The survey found that 53 percent of respondents supported this monitoring measure, while 27 percent opposed it, illustrating a significant divide in public opinion on government surveillance as part of immigration vetting processes. This stance appears particularly popular among Republican respondents, with 78 percent in favor of monitoring applicants’ social media, while opinions among Democrats and independents were more varied. Among Democrats, 44 percent felt the government should not monitor applicants' social media, showcasing a split in party lines regarding immigration oversight practices. Interestingly, while there is a majority support for monitoring social media, only 39 percent of all respondents expressed trust in the government’s ability to make fair determinations on content found within these social media accounts that might disqualify applicants from immigration. A larger portion, 46 percent, indicated limited trust in the government’s judgment regarding this sensitive information. These sentiments come against a backdrop of protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, as tensions surrounding immigration policies continue to galvanize citizen opinions in various directions. Recent months have seen the Trump administration emphasize immigration enforcement, including proposed policies requiring applicants for visas and green cards to disclose their social media handles as part of a broader initiative to improve national security against potential threats. This proposed policy, affecting millions of applicants, aligns with Trump's executive order from his early days in office aimed at enhancing immigration vetting practices. The underlying motives for such monitoring include both national security concerns and fears of political dissent among immigrants seeking to settle in the U.S. This recent survey indicates a notable shift in public attitudes towards immigration, reflecting ongoing debates regarding the boundaries of governmental oversight and individual privacy.