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US "tightens" student visas, orders consulates: Check social networks for support for "terrorist organizations"

2025-03-28 20:21:41Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
US "tightens" student visas, orders consulates: Check social networks
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The United States has ordered consular offices to significantly expand their screening processes for student visa applicants, including comprehensive social media investigations, to exclude people they believe support terrorism.

A March 25 State Department cable obtained by the Guardian outlines a new standard for visa denials based on a broad definition of what constitutes support for “terrorist activity.” The directive states that “evidence that an applicant advocates for terrorist activity, or otherwise demonstrates a degree of public approval or advocacy for terrorist activity or a terrorist organization” could be grounds for visa denial.

The order specifically targets new and renewal applications for F, M, and J student visas, providing clear guidance to consular officers to conduct mandatory social media reviews by digging into applicants’ online lives. Officers are instructed to examine the social media of all students applying for visas for evidence of activities that the administration determines are a threat to national security or terrorism.

The letter says the vetting process should be extended to students in the US as of October 7, 2023, whose visas are available for renewal, noting the day Hamas led an attack on Israel, triggering the subsequent barrage of Israeli airstrikes and ground invasions that have resulted in more than 50,000 reported deaths.

In recent weeks, the US government has revoked visas for a number of students it claims have expressed support for Hamas. The new procedures are expected to fuel concerns that social media posts in support of the Palestinians, containing critical comments about US foreign policy, or showing participation in a campus protest could trigger a sweeping visa review.

The cable does not require visa denials to be based on explicit support for any specific group and goes beyond traditional security screening, allowing officers to investigate an applicant's relationships with organizations, including current membership, financial contributions or other forms of support.

"Evidence that an applicant advocates for terrorist activities or otherwise demonstrates a degree of public approval or public advocacy for terrorist activity or a terrorist organization may be indicative of ineligibility," the memorandum, sent by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said.

The decision comes amid an already intensifying crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists across the U.S. Rubio said Thursday he had revoked more than 300 visas, targeting those he called “crazy” in connection with campus protests. The latest example is the detention of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Fulbright scholar at Tufts University, who was arrested by plainclothes, masked agents in broad daylight.

The updated review process references two executive orders from early in Trump's term, focused on foreign terrorists and combating anti-Semitism. "Every visa decision is a national security decision," the memo said.


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