Lawyers in the United States are telling non-immigrant content creators to avoid political commentary as immigration enforcement intensifies across the country. As the Miami Herald reports, legal experts warn that social media posts on controversial topics can attract unwanted attention from authorities.
“Every chance I get to tell them to scrub their socials even for likes and reposts of innocuous content – like JD Vance or anti-war memes – I do,” Genie Doi, an immigration lawyer specializing in influencer cases, said in a statement.
The detention of Khaby Lame, a Senegalese-Italian influencer with 162 million TikTok followers, has heightened concerns. Lame was detained in Las Vegas in June after reportedly overstaying his visa terms. Conservative influencer Bo Loudon claimed responsibility for alerting authorities about Lame’s status.
In a separate incident, Mario Guevara, a Spanish-speaking journalist with a substantial online following, was arrested while livestreaming protests and subsequently transferred to ICE custody. The Committee to Protect Journalists states Guevara has work authorization, while DHS maintains he entered the country illegally.
Authorities are reportedly examining social media accounts during visa applications and at ports of entry. David Melik Telfer, a Los Angeles attorney, noted that the State Department is scrutinizing O1-B visa applications more rigorously.
“They are examining everybody’s social media,” Telfer stated. “If your number one priority is not being detained and remaining in the U.S., I would certainly not attend any protest.”
Growing Role in News Dissemination
The situation affects a significant information channel for Americans. According to 2024 Pew Research Center data, 21% of Americans regularly receive news from social media creators, with the figure rising to 37% among adults aged 18-29.
The study analyzed 500 news creators and more than 100,000 posts across major platforms, finding that 27% of news influencers identify as conservative or pro-Trump, while 21% identify as left-leaning.
Brand partnerships, a primary revenue source for influencers, are also being affected. Crystal Duncan, EVP at marketing firm Tinuiti, noted that advertisers are increasingly avoiding politically active creators, with brand managers becoming more cautious in recent months.
Lawyers in the United States are telling non-immigrant content creators to avoid political commentary as immigration enforcement intensifies across the country. As the Miami Herald reports, legal experts warn that social media posts on controversial topics can attract unwanted attention from authorities.
“Every chance I get to tell them to scrub their socials even for likes and reposts of innocuous content – like JD Vance or anti-war memes – I do,” Genie Doi, an immigration lawyer specializing in influencer cases, said in a statement.
The detention of Khaby Lame, a Senegalese-Italian influencer with 162 million TikTok followers, has heightened concerns. Lame was detained in Las Vegas in June after reportedly overstaying his visa terms. Conservative influencer Bo Loudon claimed responsibility for alerting authorities about Lame’s status.
In a separate incident, Mario Guevara, a Spanish-speaking journalist with a substantial online following, was arrested while livestreaming protests and subsequently transferred to ICE custody. The Committee to Protect Journalists states Guevara has work authorization, while DHS maintains he entered the country illegally.
Authorities are reportedly examining social media accounts during visa applications and at ports of entry. David Melik Telfer, a Los Angeles attorney, noted that the State Department is scrutinizing O1-B visa applications more rigorously.
“They are examining everybody’s social media,” Telfer stated. “If your number one priority is not being detained and remaining in the U.S., I would certainly not attend any protest.”
Growing Role in News Dissemination
The situation affects a significant information channel for Americans. According to 2024 Pew Research Center data, 21% of Americans regularly receive news from social media creators, with the figure rising to 37% among adults aged 18-29.
The study analyzed 500 news creators and more than 100,000 posts across major platforms, finding that 27% of news influencers identify as conservative or pro-Trump, while 21% identify as left-leaning.
Brand partnerships, a primary revenue source for influencers, are also being affected. Crystal Duncan, EVP at marketing firm Tinuiti, noted that advertisers are increasingly avoiding politically active creators, with brand managers becoming more cautious in recent months.