Trump halts student visa appointments and instigates expanded social media vetting

Extra.ie​

2 days ago

Irish students' planned trips to the US over the summer could be scuppered as the Trump administration rolls out social media screening of applicants.
Embassies and consulates have been ordered to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants as the US State Department prepares to expand social media vetting of foreign students.
Even students who have already successfully obtained a J1 Visa could see themselves grilled by US Border Control Officers and questioned about their political persuasions, and also about the war in Gaza, as well as their personal opinions on the President. US president Donald Trump. Pic: Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images
About 5,000 Irish students are expected to travel on J1 visas this summer, a similar number to last year.
A cable from the US State Department to embassies – reported by Reuters – states that it is 'conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants, and, based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants'.
The move has led to a freeze on all visa interview appointments at US embassies across the world. But appointments that have already been made will be honoured. Taoiseach Micheál Martin with US president Donald Trump. Pic: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Commenting on the news, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: 'I believe in the mobility of young people across the world, and we should facilitate the mobility of young people. We do it in Europe very well and very effectively. There shouldn't be any overzealous examinations of people's records.'
However, recent reports emanating from high-profile social media stars and online streamers anecdotally point to a clampdown at the point of entry across US airports.
Irish students who participated in college encampments could find themselves falling afoul of Trump's new tightening of border control.
Earlier this month, Hasan Piker, a popular left-wing political commentator and Twitch streamer, said he was detained and questioned by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents upon his return to the US from France. Hasan Piker. Pic:for Politicon
Piker, who is a naturalised US citizen, claimed he was stopped and questioned by CBP agents at Chicago's O'Hare as he returned from a family trip to France.
The social media personality recounted the experience on his Twitch stream, detailing how he was hauled in by Customs and Border Control agents and questioned about his political views, including his stance on Donald Trump and his stance on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Piker expressed concerns about the nature of the questioning, suggesting that it went beyond routine border security procedures and alleged he was targeted over his overt political views. This claim was, however, denied by the U.S Department of Homeland and Security who said on their X stream that it was just a random 'routine stop'. Hasan Piker. Pic: Hagop Kalaidjian/BFA/REX/Shutterstock
The incident sparked a lot of discussion and debate about the role of CBP in enforcing political opinions and the rights of citizens entering the country. Piker mentioned that he is enrolled in Global Entry, a program designed to expedite travel for low-risk individuals, and he was still subjected to this intense questioning.
The White House visa clampdown comes as Donald Trump continues his war on academies with gusto. Last week, the US President cancelled all foreign students from enrolling at elite institution, Harvard University, a move that has enraged Boston College and has led to another court battle for the bullish U.S President.