The U.S. Department of State announced on the 18th that U.S. embassies and consulates abroad will conduct reviews of social media and other online activities for all foreign students applying for visas to the United States.
According to media reports, U.S. consular officers will focus on examining posts and information that might indicate dissent against the U.S. government, culture, or institutions. Consular officers will “make detailed notes” on the online activities of student visa applicants and “take screenshots as evidence to prevent related content from being deleted or altered.” Student visa applicants who fail to set their social media accounts to “public” status and accept the review might face visa denial.
Additionally, the State Department on the same day requested its embassies and consulates to resume processing applications for foreign student visas. Previously, in late May, the State Department had instructed its embassies and consulates to suspend scheduling new interview appointments for international student visas.
After President Trump returned to office, he launched actions against institutions like Harvard University and Columbia University under the pretext of combating “anti-Semitism on campus.” Public opinion in the U.S. widely believes this is aimed at targeting the Democratic Party or liberal factions.