The US State Department, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has introduced a new obstacle for international students by planning mandatory social media vetting for all applicants seeking to study in the United States, Reuters reported.
According to a cable from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, consular sections have been instructed to pause scheduling appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants until the vetting process is completed. He added that updated guidelines will be issued once a comprehensive review is finalised.
What does social media vetting mean?
Social media vetting refers to conducting a background check to assess someone's internet presence and their reputation across social media handles. The US State Department will now scrutinise foreign student applicants on their social media and internet presence.
The administration has not yet elaborated on how it plans to proceed with the vetting procedure, but it said that the scrutiny is aimed at eliminating terrorism and battling antisemitism.
What will the vetting process include?
"The Department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants, and based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants," the Politico cable said. A senior State Department official confirmed the accuracy of the cable.
{{/usCountry}}"The Department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants, and based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants," the Politico cable said. A senior State Department official confirmed the accuracy of the cable.
{{/usCountry}}According to the cable, the expanded social media vetting will require consular sections to modify their operations, processes, and resource allocation.
Trump's administration has said that student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas.
What will happen to pre-scheduled appointments?
Rubio had told Politico that appointments that have already been scheduled can proceed under the current guidelines, but available appointments not already taken should be pulled down.