Social Media & Global Mobility – What HR Teams Need to Know in 2025

At InterLink, Our Clients Come First

As the landscape shifts—U.S. immigration agencies are now scanning social media, and employers are enforcing stricter online conduct rules—there’s an urgent need for HR, mobility, and compliance teams to stay prepared.

At InterLink Relocation Resources, we stay closely attuned to changes impacting workforce relocation and global mobility, but we do not provide legal advice.  However, we can connect you with experienced immigration law firms for direct legal guidance.

Here’s what’s happening:

US Immigration Applicants & Social Media: A New Frontier

What’s changing:

• In April 2025, USCIS began screening immigration applicants’ social media for antisemitic content, which is now grounds for denial of visas, green cards, and naturalization.
• In May 2025, the U.S. State Department paused all new F-, M-, and J-visa interview scheduling globally to expand social media vetting protocols.
• Using AI, U.S. agencies are implementing a “catch and revoke” approach—monitoring for online content suggesting extremist activity or affiliations.

Why it matters:

• These measures are affecting students, researchers, and employment-based visa applicants—even those previously approved.
• Many are experiencing delays, denials, or visa revocations due to online activity, some dating back years.

What HR and mobility teams should know:

• Prepare employees and applicants for potential vetting and delays.
• Encourage individuals to review and clean up social media accounts before applying.
• Be aware that even private or deleted posts may be flagged.

When Corporate Social Media Policies Are Violated

Recent examples:

• A senior HR executive was dismissed for violating her own written policies by posting controversial commentary on Twitter.
• A junior account executive lost her position after sharing confidential client information on Instagram—violating NDA terms.

Implications:

• Social media policy violations are being taken seriously at all levels of employment.
• Even posts made with personal accounts can lead to termination if they breach confidentiality or brand standards.

Considerations for HR teams:

• Regularly review and reinforce corporate social media guidelines with employees.
• Include policy training during onboarding, relocation briefings, and leadership development.
• Emphasize the importance of separating professional responsibilities from personal online presence.

If your company is navigating global relocation or immigration-related concerns, InterLink is here to help facilitate complex immigration conversations—including connecting you to qualified legal experts and immigration counsel.

Contact us and find out how we can support your team at info@interlinkrelocation.com or 866-254-3910.

Sources:

• Washington Post: Social media as grounds for immigration denial
• New York Post: Visa interviews paused for new applicants
• The Times (UK): U.S. tightens social media scrutiny for foreign students