Foreign students applying to study in the United States may
have their social media vetted following a new directive from the Donald
Trump-led administration.
POLITICO reported the changes after obtaining a cable signed
on Tuesday.
In preparation for such required vetting, the administration
is ordering US embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new
interviews for such student visa applicants.
The decision could affect many international students from
Africa and other regions—especially Nigerians—who choose the US for academic
opportunities and also impact many universities who rely heavily on foreign
students to boost their revenue.
The cable was signed by Marco Rubio, the secretary of state.
“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of
required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add
any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment
capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the
coming days,” the cable states.
“Septel” is state department shorthand for “separate
telegram”.
The increased crackdown comes weeks after dozens of foreign
students had their visas revoked without reason.
The Trump administration had earlier imposed some social
media screening requirements that were largely targeted at returning students
who may have participated in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The new directive does not spell out clear conditions for
the social media screening but re-echoes previous executive orders that are
aimed at keeping out terrorists and battling antisemitism.
Some of the rules have been heavily applied to Harvard
University, which is currently embroiled in a funding row with the US
government.
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