US Resumes Student Visa Clearance But With A Twist

The US authorities announced restarting the student visa applications for foreigners, with a rider that all applicants will have to give access to their social media accounts for review.

In January, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at cracking down on the explosion of antisemitism in the US, which outline the steps the administration would take to cancel the visas of students  protesting the war in Gaza.

Since then there had been several restrictions imposed on foreign student visas. In the wake of the EO, the consular officers will check for posts and messages that appear hostile toward the US and its policies, its government and other institutions.

The US Department said that student visa applicants who refused to make their social media accounts public for review by the officials could face rejection. The US officials said that if the students failed to make the social media accounts public, then it would be considered an attempt to hide online behaviour of evade screening. The thorough vetting of the social media posts will help the officials know about the individual’s stand on semitism and also avoid further trouble, as they could turn hostile against citizens culture, government or institutions and policies.

The US State Department also made it clear that the suspension on student visa procession imposed in May has been lifted. The US temporarily paused the new visa interview appointments for international students last month. The temporary stalling of the visa clearance process made the students anxious as they were left with limited time to arrange travel and housing before the beginning of the academic year.