H1-B Visa Applicant Speaks Out on 'Refusal' Amid Controversial Social Media Vetting

A Reddit user has shared a harrowing account of his experience at a US consulate in Chennai, where he was interviewed for an H1-B visa renewal amidst the introduction of social media vetting for H-1B and H-4 visas. The individual, who was among the few whose application was not postponed to the following year, described the unusual questions he faced during the interview. After security checks, H-1B and H-4 applicants were separated and subjected to a new vetting process. The Reddit user claimed that he and a few others were chosen as 'pilot' cases for this new process. However, his experience echoed that of a woman who was interviewed before him. When asked about her social media profiles, the woman was twice questioned about whether they were set to 'public'. She was then given a 221(g) visa slip, indicating that the consulate required additional time to review her application. The Reddit user faced similar questioning, including an inquiry about his social media accounts and whether they were public. He was also asked if he had been following the news. After receiving a white 221(g) slip, he was instructed to await 'administrative processing'. The CEAC website later showed his status as 'REFUSED'. Interestingly, the Reddit user's wife, who also applied for a US visa on the same day, experienced a different outcome. Her status transitioned from 'REFUSED' to 'APPROVED' at the Hyderabad Consulate, according to an update to the Reddit post. This unusual turn of events has left many questioning the fairness and transparency of the new social media vetting process.