New Directives on Visa Applicants’ Social Media Scrutiny
In a significant policy shift, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has mandated that U.S. diplomats stationed abroad intensively review the social media activities of certain visa applicants, particularly those seeking student and exchange visitor visas. This initiative aims to prevent entry into the United States for individuals suspected of harboring anti-American sentiments or criticizing U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel, according to multiple U.S. officials.
This directive was articulated in a detailed cable dispatched to diplomatic missions on March 25. The decision follows closely on the heels of President Trump’s executive orders, issued nine weeks prior, which initiated a broader campaign to deport foreign nationals deemed to possess “hostile attitudes” toward American citizens, culture, government, and foundational principles.
Furthermore, President Trump has taken steps to address what he defines as antisemitism, which includes the potential deportation of foreign students who have participated in protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. This context adds weight to Mr. Rubio’s new guidelines.
According to the cable, effective immediately, consular officers are required to refer specific student and exchange visitor visa applicants to the embassy’s fraud prevention unit for a mandatory social media assessment. The fraud prevention unit, which operates within the consular affairs section responsible for visa issuance, plays a crucial role in screening applicants to ensure national security and public safety.
The cable outlines broad criteria that diplomats should follow when evaluating visa applications. It references remarks made by Mr. Rubio during an interview with CBS News on March 16, where he stated: “We don’t want people in our country that are going to be committing crimes and undermining our national security or the public safety,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the visa process. “It’s that simple, especially people that are here as guests. That is what a visa is,” he added.
