The US State Department has issued a directive mandating stricter screening of student visa applicants, including mandatory social media investigations. The move, aimed at preventing individuals deemed national security threats from entering the country, has raised significant concerns over privacy, academic freedom, and free speech.
The directive specifically targets applicants for F, M, and J student visas and extends to those seeking visa renewals. Consular officers are now required to conduct thorough social media reviews to identify any signs of affiliation with or support for terrorist organizations. This includes examining applicants’ online activities for content deemed to endorse terrorist activities, financial contributions to proscribed groups, or public expressions of support for such organizations.
Permanent Digital Records for Social Media Content
The new policy directs consular officers to capture and preserve digital records, including screenshots of potentially problematic content, even if later deleted. These records will be stored in an applicant’s case file and can be used in future visa decisions.
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The directive states: “Evidence that an applicant advocates for terrorist activity or otherwise demonstrates a degree of public approval or public advocacy for terrorist activity or a terrorist organization may be indicative of ineligibility.” Officials are also instructed to investigate applicants’ relationships with organizations, including membership and financial contributions.
Impact on Pro-Palestinian Activists
The updated screening guidelines follow a wave of visa revocations and arrests linked to pro-Palestinian activism on US university campuses. The directive has been widely interpreted as targeting students who have participated in protests critical of US foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine.
The crackdown has already led to visa revocations for over 300 students allegedly linked to Hamas, a group the US designates as a foreign terrorist entity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the policy, stating, “Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas.” He emphasized that the administration views such activism as a national security threat.
Detention of Turkish Scholar Sparks Outrage
One of the most high-profile cases linked to the new policy is the detention of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University. Ozturk, who had published an article in a university newspaper calling for Israel’s actions in Gaza to be recognized as genocide, was detained by immigration officers outside her home. While she has not been formally charged, the Department of Homeland Security claims she engaged in activities supportive of Hamas. Her detention has drawn strong criticism from civil rights advocates and politicians. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley condemned the move as a “horrifying violation” of constitutional rights, calling Ozturk a “political prisoner” and accusing the administration of targeting students for exercising their free speech.
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Legal experts argue that the expanded screening process infringes on free speech rights, particularly for international students who should be protected under international law. Critics warn that the policy could discourage foreign students from studying in the US and create a chilling effect on political expression. The Trump administration has cited previous executive orders on national security and anti-Semitism to justify the new surveillance measures. The State Department has not yet responded to requests for comment on the updated guidelines.