U.S. Government Resumes Foreign Student Visas But Demands Social Media Access

The U.S. has resumed visa applications for international students but has demanded access to their social media accounts.

This comes after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to pause new student visa interviews.

The move could have an impact on thousands of international students hoping to begin studies in the U.S. this fall due to the delay in visa processing.

Foreign students will be able to apply for U.S. visas under enhanced vetting

Image credits: The White House

On Wednesday, the State Department announced those applications will open again under enhanced visa screening and social media vetting.

All applicants applying for F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications will be required to set their social media profiles to public.

The department said the U.S. must be “vigilant” to ensure those applying for a visa “do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests.”

“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,” a statement read.

Image credits: David L Ryan/Globe Staff

“The State Department is committed to protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process,” it added.

“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.”

The Trump administration has been cracking down on foreign students, particularly those involved in campus protests.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked hundreds, if not more, of student visas and vowed to keep doing so.

In March, he revoked the visas of at least 300 foreign students amid a crackdown on campus protests, particularly pro-palestinian demonstrations.

Then, in May, he said he would “aggressively” revoke visas for Chinese students, “including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.”

Image credits: Harvard University

A broader government initiative, called “catch and revoke,” is part of the amped up effort to revoke visas and uses AI to identify foreign nationals expressing views the government deems pro-Hamas.

Trump is also locked in a court battle with Harvard University over international students after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tried to ban foreign student enrollment.

Noem accused the Ivy League of fostering antisemitism and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on campus, as well as promoting “pro-Hamas sympathies.”

She then banned the university from enrolling foreign students, a move that affected the international students already attending.

Harvard launched a legal challenge and a judge has approved a temporary restraining order on the ban until legal proceedings conclude.

Image credits: Harvard University

Noem wanted the disciplinary records of international students and a list of names of those involved in campus demonstrations.

Trump also demanded a list of names of students and their home countries.

It is just one of many gripes he has with Ivy League universities, after deeming them too “liberal.”

He has frozen $2.3 billion in research funding for Harvard and threatened to take away the university’s tax-exempt status since he came into office.