US Gov't to screen social media accounts prior to visa approval

The United States government is intensifying its visa applicant screening process by reviewing social media activity for posts that criticize the U.S. or Israel.

This directive, issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seeks to bar certain individuals, including Kenyan students, from gaining entry into the country.

A directive issued on March 25 to US embassies and consulates requires consular officers to carry out mandatory social media screenings on specific student visa applicants.

The directive particularly focuses on students who held visas between October 7, 2023, and August 31, 2024, as well as those whose visas were revoked within this timeframe.

The details of the directive were initially reported by The Handbasket, an independent news outlet based in the United States.

Rubio’s directive also mandates that, effective immediately, consular officers must refer certain student and exchange visitor visa applicants to the “fraud prevention unit” for a compulsory social media review.

As a result, applicants could be denied visas if their online activity indicates support for terrorist organizations or contains anti-American sentiments.

A key focus of these social media checks is to reject students who have shown sympathy for Palestinians during the ongoing conflict.

Applicants may also be refused visas if their behavior or statements demonstrate “a hostile attitude toward U.S. citizens or U.S. culture, including the government, institutions, or founding principles.”

This monitoring mainly targets student and exchange visitor visa categories, specifically F, M, and J visas.

The fraud prevention unit within the consular affairs section of embassies and consulates is responsible for screening these applicants.

“We don’t want people in our country that are going to be committing crimes and undermining our national security or public safety,” Rubio stated on March 16. “It’s that simple, especially for people who are here as guests. That is what a visa is.”

This policy is part of initiatives launched by President Donald Trump aimed at deporting foreign nationals who demonstrate “hostile attitudes” toward American principles, institutions, or national security.

Additionally, Trump issued a separate executive order targeting antisemitism.

This directive also calls for the deportation of foreign students involved in protests opposing Israel’s military operations in Gaza.