Rep Lieu demands to know if DHS will collect his social media history, too

Rep Ted Lieu (D-CA) is a naturalized American citizen, having emigrated from Taiwan as a young child. Earlier in Sept, under a new proposed policy, the Department of Homeland Security said it will begin collecting public social media information about immigrants—possibly also green card holders and naturalized citizens—and include them as part of their so-called "Alien File."

Because of this ambiguity, Rep Lieu—who is very active on Twitter—has a basic question in a Sept 29 letter for Acting DHS Secretary Elaine Duke: "Does your proposed rule apply to me?" Rep Lieu, who said he has lived in the United States for over four decades and who holds the rank of colonel in the United States Air Force Reserves, also raised concerns that if enacted, the rule will be ineffective. Why does he think this? Because DHS’ own inspector general report found in February 2017 that previous "social media screening" pilot programs "lack criteria for measuring performance to ensure they meet their objectives."