The United States is instructing its diplomatic missions worldwide to resume processing student visa applications, but with a new requirement: applicants must make their social media profiles public for security vetting, a senior State Department official confirmed on Wednesday.
This move follows a May 27 directive from the Trump administration that paused new appointments for student and exchange visitor visas. The pause was part of preparations to expand social media screening for foreign students.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously indicated that updated guidance would be issued following a policy review. That guidance is now in place.
According to the State Department official, who spoke anonymously, the new policy mandates that consular officers carry out a “comprehensive and thorough vetting” process for all F, M, and J visa applicants. To support this review, applicants will be asked to set all their social media accounts to public.
“Posts may now resume scheduling F, M, and J visa applications,” the official said, referring to student and exchange visitor categories. “The enhanced social media vetting will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country.”
Officials in the Trump administration have also warned that student visa holders and even green-card holders could face deportation for expressing support for Palestinians or criticizing Israel’s actions in the Gaza conflict. They argue such expressions pose a threat to U.S. foreign policy and label them as aligned with pro-Hamas sentiment.
Critics of the policy, however, have condemned the measures as a direct violation of First Amendment rights, calling it a political crackdown on free speech.
