State Department To Resume Processing Visas For International Students, Now Requiring Access To Social Media Profiles

The U.S. State Department announced it will resume processing foreign student visas, with a new requirement that applicants provide access to their social media profiles for review.

“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission,” read the announcement.

The attempt to identify those who “pose a threat to U.S. national security” echoes similar language used by the State Department to target pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses. The Trump administration has detained countless pro-Palestinian students and faculty members, claiming they are national security threats.

President Donald Trump, as part of his mass deportation initiatives, has targeted international students on college campuses, leading to several arrests and the revocation of their visas.

The president also ordered Harvard University to halt admissions of international students, raising concerns among students about whether they will be able to attend classes in the fall. However, the university challenged the decision in court and, so far, has won temporary injunctions against the Trump administration.

The State Department will prioritize issuing visas to students attending schools where international students make up less than 15 percent of the student body. More than 200 institutions in the United States, including all eight Ivy League schools, have international students making up more than 15 percent of their student populations.

Refusing to provide access to social media profiles can result in a visa denial for students. The federal government generally cannot access private social media accounts without consent; however, public accounts can be examined without permission.