The U.S. Department of State has ordered its embassies around the world to demand visa-seeking students make their social media accounts public for scrutiny of anti-U.S. sentiments as part of the new requirements for any successful application.
The development was contained in a cable sent by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to American embassies and consulates on Wednesday and obtained by The Washington Post, as the Trump administration resumes visa interviews for international students following a temporary suspension.
Rubio had last month ordered U.S. embassies to suspend interviews for student visa applicants in what he described as a move against universities allegedly fostering antisemitism and other national security issues.
He noted that the department was in the process of establishing new measures to screen applicants during the visa application process.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration resumed visa interviews for international students under a new policy that requires applicants to make social media accounts public to allow embassy officials screen them for any anti-U.S. posts before they can be granted entry to the United States.
The new policy is part of Trump’s latest moves to limit the flow of migrants into the United States, especially for individuals who are suspected to be critical of his administration and the State of Israel over the ongoing war in Gaza.
