The US has recommenced processing student visa applications after a temporary pause, introducing rigorous new social media evaluation protocols for all international candidates.
The State Department now requires applicants to make their social media profiles publicly accessible as part of an intensified security review process.
Consular officers have received directives to meticulously examine applicants’ digital footprints, searching for evidence of anti-American sentiment or connections to extremist ideologies.
This expanded scrutiny aims to identify individuals who may express hostility toward US values, institutions, or constitutional principles.
US Resumes Student Visa Processing
The updated screening procedures affect multiple visa classifications:
- F visas: Primary category for academic students
- M visas: For vocational and technical students
- J visas: Covering exchange program participants
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State Department officials emphasise that maintaining private social media accounts may raise red flags during the evaluation process, potentially signalling an attempt to conceal questionable online activity.
National Security Priorities
“The American public rightfully expects their government to implement every available safeguard,” a senior State Department representative stated. “These enhanced measures demonstrate our administration’s unwavering commitment to national security.”
The vetting process now specifically targets applicants who support designated terrorist organisations, pose potential national security threats and engage in unlawful anti-Semitic activities.
Broader Academic Sector Implications
This policy change forms part of a larger initiative affecting higher education institutions. Recent actions have included suspension of federal funding to certain universities, visa revocation proceedings for selected students and increased scrutiny of campus political activities.
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Prestigious institutions, such as Harvard University, have faced particular scrutiny, with temporary holds placed on significant federal research grants. Legal challenges have temporarily blocked some administrative actions while courts review their validity.
According to Open Doors data, American colleges hosted over 1.1 million international students during the 2023-24 academic year, representing more than 210 countries worldwide.
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The post US Resumes Student Visa Processing with Stricter Social Media Screening appeared first on iHarare News.
