On The Public Record !

For those thinking of a holiday trip to Disneyland or perhaps Yosemite in the United States it is comforting to know that Australians enjoy visa free access to that country, but access does come with limitations.   Freedom from visas only applies to stays that do not exceed ninety days and America is a very big country.   Those intending a leisurely tour of many of the states or to complete a short study course could find it necessary to apply for an extended visa.

That is where the things you may have written in the past may come back to haunt you !  The US Immigration department has a new requirement that applies to those seeking to immigrate to the United States and all applicants for " non-immigrant visas ", which includes visitors intending to stay for more than ninety days.

You will be required to divulge your social media user name for the past five years and immigration may check your social attitudes on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.  What you place on these social media facilities goes on the public record and immigration will obviously be very interested in comments that tend to support Islamic State or reveal anti social tendencies.  What you have written in a light hearted manner may result in visa rejection.

Of course, this will be condemned by supporters of free speech as an infringement on that right, but freedom of speech does come with qualifications.   If we vilify another person with claims that are untrue they can sue for damages and we are fast reaching the stage where using the internet for bullying will constitute a law infringement.  The age of the computer ushered in a new world of communications and we are now finding the extent that this can be misused.  The fact that deliberately placed fake news can change public attitudes and even swing national elections is cause for restrictions to apply.

We should also remember that granting a visa to allow a visit to another country is a privilege, not a right.   Immigration may decline - without any explanation.  A person whose social media contributions contain a diatribe of hate against those who do not have a white skin could be very suspect in a mixed society like America.  Certainly US immigration would be wise to ask questions on intended places of visit and whether speeches were intended before granting an entry visa.

One of the attractions of the Internet is our ability to contribute with anonymity.   We hide behind our user name and for some people that allows them to employ attitudes they would not even consider sharing with colleagues and friends.  The immigration people are a very canny lot.  Untruths or failure to divulge the correct user name may soon be a certain cause of visa rejection !