Latest news with #Rubio
NDTV
2 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Trump Administration Orders "Extra Vetting" For Anyone Travelling To Harvard
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. The State Department has mandated stricter vetting for anyone traveling to Harvard, including students and faculty, to identify applicants with anti-Semitic ties. Consular officers will review online presence to assess visa eligibility and credibility. Those looking to travel to Harvard University 'for any purpose' will go through more extensive vetting. The State Department on Friday has instructed all US embassies and consulates to do the same starting 'immediately', per Reuters. Such applicants include but are not limited to prospective students, students, faculty, employees, contractors, guest speakers, and tourists, the cable said. The word "any" in the cable text is written in bold format and underlined. After the Trump administration tried to ban the Ivy League university from enrolling foreign students, a judge halted the ban. The State Department has said that the vetting measures are being taken to ensure "consular officers can appropriately identify" visa applicants with "histories of anti-Semitic harassment and violence, and to duly consider the visa eligibility under U.S. immigration law," CNN stated in a report citing a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Per the cable, dated May 30th, if an individual seeks to work at, attend or otherwise visit to Harvard, in the prescreening or interviewing process, consular offices have been instructed to refuse the visa "pending review of their online presence' - which would essentially mean screening of their online presence, including social media. "As in all instances in which an applicant fails to provide certain information on request, consular officers should consider whether the lack of any online presence, or having social media accounts restricted to 'private' or with limited visibility, may be reflective of evasiveness and call into question the applicant's credibility," the cable reportedly said. "If you are not personally and completely satisfied that the applicant, during his time in the United States, will engage in activities consistent with his non-immigrant visa status, you should refuse the visa...," the cable said. Rubio said recently that he has personally revoked the visas of hundreds, perhaps thousands of people, which include students, since they got involved in activities that go against US foreign policy. "If you're coming here to create problems, you're probably going to have a problem," Rubio told reporters on April 7. "We're not going to continue to be stupid enough to let people into our country who are coming here to tear things up."
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
What the U.S. social media vetting for student visas means to applicants
The story so far: Foreign students hoping to study in the U.S. may soon face increased scrutiny as the Trump administration is considering taking measures to collect more information from the social media accounts of foreign student visa applicants. Ahead of these changes, reports emerged that the scheduling of student visa interviews have been put on hold as officials worldwide await further guidance. This triggered panic among students worried that their education in the U.S. could be delayed or blocked. What is the new social media vetting rule for U.S. visa applicants? The U.S. Department of State defines a social media identifier/handle as 'any name used by the individual on social media platforms including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.' A cable in late May that was signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and shared by the Politico outlet, ordered a temporary halt to scheduling visa appointments. 'Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days,' Mr. Rubio's cable quoted by Politico stated, referring to telegram guidance that would be issued separately. The collection of visa applicants' social media handles is not a new measure. The U.S. Department of State noted that it updated its non-immigrant visa online application form (DS-160), the paper back-up version of the non-immigrant visa application (DS-156), and the online immigrant visa application form (DS-260), to collect applicants' social media identifiers. The changes were implemented from May 2019, citing U.S. national security as a top priority. However, Mr. Rubio's latest cable suggests closer scrutiny of visa applicants' social media posts in the future, and especially if they are foreign students. Foreign visa applicants heading to Harvard University may also face this treatment. Why does the Trump administration want to vet social media handles? The new updates come as the U.S. government seeks to clamp down on American universities where students are participating in anti-Israel or pro-Palestinian protests. Because Israel is a U.S. ally, the administration has deemed many anti-Israel demonstrations and forms of protest to be a form of antisemitism (anti-Jewish bigotry) aimed at Jewish Americans, rather than a form of anti-Zionism (opposition to Israel's statehood and violence against Palestinians). Many pro-Palestinian protesters on university campuses have been termed as Hamas supporters by conservative Americans. A White House factsheet published this January saw Trump stating, 'To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you. I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before.' The U.S. Department of State's 'Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application' (DS-160) form has a sub-section dedicated to the applicant's various social media handles that they can choose from a menu. There is a separate section for other platforms/websites that the applicants wish to flag or identify independently. The social media platforms already mentioned on the DS-160 form include names such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as Chinese options such as Douban, Qzone, Weibo, and others. Meanwhile, VKontakte is a Russian social media platform. The Trump-endorsed Truth Social, however, is not on this list. Visa applicants are being asked to provide social media handles they have used in the past five years. One point of focus appears to be Chinese immigration. In a recent press statement titled, 'New Visa Policies Put America First, Not China,' Mr. Rubio confirmed that government bodies would start 'aggressively' revoking visas belonging to Chinese students, 'including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.' What can foreign students do to safeguard their visa application? First and foremost, carry out a social media audit of your own. This means making a list of all your accounts to make sure no key platforms are left out. Delete — not deactivate — inactive accounts or nearly forgotten handles you have not accessed in more than five years, to avoid confusion. Carry out this step as early as you can, because some social media companies keep even deleted accounts visible for 30-90 days to prevent fraudulent activity. Next, compile a list of core social media identifiers — your existing usernames/handles — that you will submit as part of your visa application. Never share your passwords with others. You can then choose whether to lock your social media accounts or not. While it might be natural for minors, privacy-minded users, or non-professional visa applicants to have private accounts, it will arouse suspicion if a major influencer or public figure with thousands of followers suddenly locks their official account before their visa application. Make the choice that fits your privacy requirements. After this, be sure to vet your own social media content. Be on the lookout for content you posted in the past that is outdated, inaccurate, offensive, abusive, or glorifies criminal activity. Also check your replies, 'likes', and uploaded media for any content that could hurt your visa application. Take note of accounts you follow or interact with to ensure that they are in compliance with international laws. You may also want to check content that does not strictly count as social media activity, such as your YouTube comment history. You may feel strongly about potentially taking down content related to social causes that are important to your heart. Make an informed choice that aligns with your personal position. Foreign students hoping to obtain a visa to study in the U.S. should stay in touch with their universities and international admissions officers in order to learn the latest updates.
Mint
5 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Trump Says Chinese Students at US Colleges Will Be ‘Fine'
President Donald Trump sought to downplay worries among Chinese student visa holders over his administration's scrutiny, saying he would tell them that everything would be 'fine' as they pursue their studies in the US. 'Well, they're going to be O.K. It's going to work out fine,' Trump said Friday night when asked what his message would be for students who want to remain in the country. 'We just want to check out the individual students,' he added. 'That's true of all colleges.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week announced that the US plans to start 'aggressively' revoking visas for Chinese students, saying those affected would be individuals with 'connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.' Rubio added that the US would enhance security 'of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong.' The move drew sharp criticism from China, which called it discriminatory and exacerbated tensions between Washington and Beijing. Earlier Friday, Trump also accused China of reneging on a trade truce negotiated earlier this month between the countries that saw them ease tit-for-tat trade levies that had roiled financial markets and threatened to pitch the global economy into a downturn. The restrictions on Chinese student visas are part of a broader administration push to increase scrutiny of foreigners attending American universities. Harvard University has been the chief target of that campaign, as it has fought Trump's efforts to force elite institutions to change their policies on a wide range of matters from admissions to hiring. Earlier Friday, Rubio ordered consular officers to conduct 'a complete screening of the online presence' for any applicant who wants to visit Harvard, including but not limited to 'prospective students, students, faculty, employees, contractors, guest speakers, and tourists.' The stricter vetting will include social media accounts, he said. The administration has frozen more than $2.6 billion in federal research funding for Harvard and moved to cut off all federal contracts. The university has sued over the funding cuts and also won a temporary court order blocking the administration from enforcing a ban on federal students at the school. Trump on Wednesday also said Harvard should cap its foreign student enrollment at 15%. The administration has also sought information from Harvard about foreign students enrolled there, including disciplinary records and video of those engaged in protests. 'I don't know why Harvard's not giving us the list,' Trump said Friday night. 'There's something going on because Harvard's not giving us the list. They ought to give us the list and get themselves out of trouble.' Administration officials have said their efforts to force changes at universities is aimed at cracking down on antisemitism tied to protests against Israel's war in Gaza. At Harvard, nearly 6,800 students — 27% of the entire student body — come from other countries, up from about 20% in 2006, according to university data. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Chinese students at US colleges will be 'fine', says Donald Trump
'Well, they're going to be OK It's going to work out fine,' Trump said when asked what his message would be for students who want to remain in the country Bloomberg President Donald Trump sought to downplay worries among Chinese student visa holders over his administration's scrutiny, saying he would tell them that everything would be 'fine' as they pursue their studies in the US. 'Well, they're going to be OK It's going to work out fine,' Trump said Friday night when asked what his message would be for students who want to remain in the country. 'We just want to check out the individual students,' he added. 'That's true of all colleges.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week announced that the US plans to start 'aggressively' revoking visas for Chinese students, saying those affected would be individuals with 'connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.' Rubio added that the US would enhance security 'of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong.' The move drew sharp criticism from China, which called it discriminatory and exacerbated tensions between Washington and Beijing. Earlier Friday, Trump also accused China of reneging on a trade truce negotiated earlier this month between the countries that saw them ease tit-for-tat trade levies that had roiled financial markets and threatened to pitch the global economy into a downturn. The restrictions on Chinese student visas are part of a broader administration push to increase scrutiny of foreigners attending American universities. Harvard University has been the chief target of that campaign, as it has fought Trump's efforts to force elite institutions to change their policies on a wide range of matters from admissions to hiring. Earlier Friday, Rubio ordered consular officers to conduct 'a complete screening of the online presence' for any applicant who wants to visit Harvard, including but not limited to 'prospective students, students, faculty, employees, contractors, guest speakers, and tourists.' The stricter vetting will include social media accounts, he said. The administration has frozen more than $2.6 billion in federal research funding for Harvard and moved to cut off all federal contracts. The university has sued over the funding cuts and also won a temporary court order blocking the administration from enforcing a ban on federal students at the school. Trump on Wednesday also said Harvard should cap its foreign student enrollment at 15 per cent. The administration has also sought information from Harvard about foreign students enrolled there, including disciplinary records and video of those engaged in protests. 'I don't know why Harvard's not giving us the list,' Trump said Friday night. 'There's something going on because Harvard's not giving us the list. They ought to give us the list and get themselves out of trouble.' Administration officials have said their efforts to force changes at universities is aimed at cracking down on antisemitism tied to protests against Israel's war in Gaza. At Harvard, nearly 6,800 students — 27 per cent of the entire student body — come from other countries, up from about 20 per cent in 2006, according to university data.
The Star
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Indonesian govt scrambles to help Indonesian students in the United States amid visa suspension policy
JAKARTA: The Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry is looking for options to accommodate Indonesian students currently staying in the United States or planning to depart for their studies amid Washington's move to suspend visa processing for international students globally. Several options considered by the ministry to avoid the students being stranded and hindered from continuing their studies were changing their scholarships, looking for possibilities to move the student's destination to other countries and continuing their studies at an Indonesian institution. 'We are anticipating [this situation] by also coordinating with the Foreign Ministry and scholarship providers, including the Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP),' said Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto in Bandung on Thursday (May 29). 'We are watching, waiting and anticipating so that should the policy come into effect, we won't be caught off guard,' he continued. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered on Tuesday for embassies and consulates to pause scheduling appointments for student visas, pending new guidelines on checking applicants' social media postings, as reported by AFP. The US State Department said on Thursday the suspension would be brief, with its spokesperson Tammy Bruce encouraging prospective students to seek visa appointments. 'I would not be recommending that if this was going to be weeks or months,' Bruce said, as quoted by AFP. 'I can tell you that it's something that would happen perhaps sooner than later.' Following the announcement of Rubio's decision on Tuesday, Minister Brian said in a statement issued on Wednesday that his ministry would coordinate with various parties, universities abroad and in the country to explore possibilities of current and prospective Indonesian students in the US to move to their respective institutions. The ministry also suggested Indonesian students in the US to not leave the country to avoid being denied reentry. Brian also added that the higher education ministry would list Indonesian students for their study field, education level and visa status. Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) rector Tatacipta Dirgantara separately conveyed the university's readiness to accept Indonesian students from the US should the government decide to push them to continue their education from Indonesia. 'We have a clear procedure for transfer students should the situation force us to do so,' Tatacipta said. He added that ITB had done similar things after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC on Sept. 11, 2001, when the university received Indonesian doctoral students and helped them continue their study in the country. Harvard saga Rubio's decision on student visa suspension was announced one week after the US Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard University's certification to participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The decision effectively barred the university from accepting foreign students, who account for more than a quarter of its student body. The revocation was reportedly triggered by Harvard's refusal to comply with a federal request to provide records of visa-holding students allegedly involved in 'illegal and violent activities'. Minister Brian said the higher education ministry would ensure that affected students receive the necessary assistance should the situation deteriorate. The Foreign Ministry said it was watching the policy's development closely, while the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, DC established communication with Indonesian students at Harvard. Harvard filed a lawsuit against the federal government's decision, with US district judge Allison Burroughs ordering the halt of the policy. During an injunction hearing for Harvard's lawsuit in Boston on Thursday, Judge Burroughs said she would later issue a preliminary injunction that gives 'some protection to international students' as the university and Trump's administration prepare to make their cases, AFP reported. Former foreign minister and Prasetiya Mulya University rector Hassan Wirajuda welcomed Judge Burrough's injunction in Harvard's case. He added that Prasetiya Mulya would be ready to receive Indonesian students studying in the US should the government decide to repatriate them. In a post uploaded on Thursday, former deputy foreign minister and cofounder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) Dino Patti Djalal urged Foreign Minister Sugiono to communicate with Rubio to convey Indonesia's concerns regarding the US administration's recent policies that potentially affect international students. The Indonesian Embassy in Washington, DC previously said they had spoken with the US government and shared its 'deep concern over the negative effect' the policy has on Indonesian and other foreign students. The embassy also called for a solution that could ensure Indonesian students at Harvard and other US universities to continue their studies. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
