According to a report by The New York Times, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a directive late last month requiring consulates and embassies worldwide to strictly scrutinize the social media activity of student and other visa applicants. This measure aims to deny entry to individuals who post content critical of the US or Israel, citing national security concerns.
The directive, detailed in a lengthy cable sent by Rubio to US diplomatic missions on March 25, mandates mandatory social media checks for specific visa applicants. Two US officials familiar with the cable revealed that consular officers must refer certain student and exchange visa applications to the "fraud prevention unit" for further review.
The cable outlines three groups of individuals subject to stringent scrutiny:
- Those suspected of links to or sympathy for "terrorists."
- Those who hold student or exchange visas between October 7, 2023, and August 31, 2024.
- Those whose visas were revoked after October 2023.
Additionally, the cable specifies that individuals displaying behavior or actions deemed hostile to "American citizens or American culture (including its government, institutions, or founding principles)" may be denied a visa.
US media analysts have pointed out the challenges for consular officers in interpreting past statements or social media posts, especially without a clear understanding of their context. The primary aim of this measure, analysts suggest, is to intimidate foreign students and applicants into self-censorship or discourage them from applying for US visas altogether.
(Source: Ta Kung Po)
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