US reopens student visa applications with stricter screening rules
On Wednesday, the United States announced that it will resume processing student visa applications for foreign nationals, now requiring applicants to provide access to their social media accounts.
Officials stated that consular officers will examine online activities for any content deemed antagonistic toward the United States, including its government, culture, institutions, or foundational values.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State declared it has lifted the suspension on student visa processing that was initially enacted in May.
However, it cautioned that new applicants who do not make their social media accounts public for government examination may face denial of their applications.
The department noted that such refusals could suggest an intention to avoid scrutiny or hide online activities.
Last month, the Trump administration temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students intending to study in the United States as it prepared to expand the screening of applicants’ social media activities, according to officials.
Students around the world have been eagerly anticipating the reopening of U.S. consulates, with limited time left to arrange travel and secure housing before the start of the academic year.
As part of the resumed visa processing, the State Department has directed consulates to give priority to applications from students seeking admission to colleges where international students comprise less than 15% of the student body, according to a U.S. official familiar with the directive.
This official requested anonymity since the information has not been publicly revealed.
International students in the U.S. have faced increasingly stringent scrutiny. In the spring, the Trump administration revoked study privileges for thousands of students—some for minor offenses like traffic violations—only to abruptly reverse the policy later.
Furthermore, the government has expanded the situations under which international students may lose their legal status.
In a move perceived as part of a larger effort to exert pressure on Harvard University, the Trump administration has aimed to restrict international student enrollment at the Ivy League institution, which relies on foreign students for about a quarter of its enrollment and substantial tuition income. President Trump has called for the university to limit its international student population to 15%.
In defending the new requirement for social media screening, the State Department stated Wednesday that it "will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country."
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