The US State Department has reportedly directed American diplomats to review the social media activity of some visa applicants to potentially block those critical of the US and Israel, according to a New York Times report Tuesday.
A March 25 cable instructed consular officers to refer certain student and exchange visitor visa applicants for a mandatory social media check.
The directive allows officials to deny a visa if an applicant’s online activity shows a “hostile attitude toward U.S. citizens or U.S. culture,” the report said, citing unnamed US officials.
This move follows previous actions under former President Donald Trump targeting foreign nationals, including students involved in pro-Palestinian campus protests.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a vocal supporter of such policies, stated last week that over 300 visas have been revoked recently. “We give you a visa to come and study… not to become a social activist that tears up our university campuses,” he told reporters.
The policy has reportedly led to detentions and deportations. Turkish PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested by ICE agents last week. Her lawyer believes she was targeted for co-authoring a university newspaper article critical of Israel’s actions and supporting Palestinian rights.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed that visa applicants have been required to provide social media information since 2019 but did not comment specifically on the March directive.
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