US to demand student visa applicants make social media public
The US State Department has announced new rules for student visa applications that require public access to non-citizens' social media accounts. The changes expand screening for those seeking to study in the United States.
Last month, US President Donald Trump's administration ordered consulates to pause new student and exchange visa appointments while finalizing the updated procedures. A cable from Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed posts not to increase appointment capacity until new guidance was issued.
The new requirements apply to F, M, and J visa categories, covering academic, vocational, and exchange programs. The State Department said it would use all available data to identify applicants who may pose a national security threat or fail to meet visa conditions.
'Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications,' the department said on Wednesday. It added that all applicants in the affected categories 'will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 'public'.'
A separate cable obtained by Politico ordered US diplomats to examine online activity for signs of hostility toward Americans, support for Hamas or other terrorist groups, or anti-Semitic violence.
'Online presence' includes not only social media but public records and databases such as LexisNexis. Officers must take screenshots and prepare case notes.
Since returning to office, Trump has called on universities to shut down anti-Israel protests, which he described as anti-Semitic, and to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The new visa policy follows a pilot screening effort at Harvard University, where several foreign students were denied entry after officials flagged their online content. The administration later revoked the school's authorization to enroll international applicants, accusing it of failing to act against campus extremism and rejecting federal oversight.
Harvard denounced the measures as unlawful and politically retaliatory, claiming they do serious harm to its academic mission and global reputation.
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