In a significant shift in US visa policy, the State Department has introduced mandatory social media screening for student visa applicants to identify potential links to terrorism. The new directive, obtained by The Guardian on March 25, imposes stricter regulations on the denial of F, M, and J student visas, including renewals. The policy has raised concerns over privacy, free speech, and the targeting of pro-Palestinian voices.
Social Media Under Surveillance
Under the new rules:
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Consular officers must conduct social media checks on applicants to assess their online activities.
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Fraud prevention units are required to take and save screenshots of any content deemed problematic, even if later deleted or modified.
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The directive, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, states that visa denials may extend to individuals exhibiting a “hostile attitude” toward US citizens, government agencies, or American cultural values.
Impact on Students & Activism
The policy primarily affects students whose visas are up for renewal after October 7, 2023, a date marking the Hamas-led attack on Israel and Israel’s subsequent military response. In recent weeks, the US has reportedly canceled visas of students suspected of supporting Hamas.
Critics argue that the policy could disproportionately impact students sharing pro-Palestinian content, criticizing US foreign policy, or participating in campus protests. Amid heightened tensions over pro-Palestinian activism in US universities, some students have faced arrests and visa revocations.
Opponents warn that broadening visa screening could suppress free speech and penalize individuals for their political views, sparking concerns over academic freedom and civil liberties.
