U.S. looks to improve screening of immigrants

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is reviewing procedures for vetting would-be immigrants, with an eye toward examining applicants’ online presence, to close security gaps in the U.S. visa system, the White House said Monday.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Homeland Security and State departments have been asked to review the process for screening people who apply for visas and to return with specific recommendations.

The Homeland Security Department said it is specifically reviewing policies on when authorities at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services can look at social media posts as part of the vetting process for would-be immigrants applying for certain visas.

“I think the president’s top priority here is the national security and safety of the American people,” Earnest said. “And that will continue to be the case with ensuring that this K-1 visa program is effectively implemented.”

Tashfeen Malik, a Pakistani woman who the FBI says carried out an attack with her husband in San Bernardino, Calif., that killed 14 people earlier this month, came to the U.S. on a K-1, or fianc?, visa.

Earnest did not provide specifics of the security review for visas, but said one consideration going forward is resources.

The department said three pilot programs to specifically incorporate “appropriate” social media reviews into its vetting process were launched in the last year and it is looking at other ways to use social media posts.