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United States scrutinizes social media accounts of foreign student visa applicants - Examining Social Media Profiles: Foreign Student Visa Applicants Undergo U.S. Scrutiny
Let's get straight to it! In a recent twist, the USA is delving into the world of public social media profiles as part of the visa application process for foreign students.
After a temporary halt in the student visa process back in May, applications are back on the table. With the new guidelines in hand, applicants should make their social media profiles publicly accessible to be scrutinized for supposed anti-American content.
From day one, President Donald Trump had issued an order for a stricter evaluation of individuals wishing to enter the States. The rationale? To ensure they don't nurture any hostile sentiments towards American citizens, culture, government, institutions, or the nation's fundamental principles.
- USA
- Foreign Students
- Social Media Screening
Deep Dive:
These fresh regulations are focused on applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas, which encompass student and educational visas. The increased scrutiny and vetting also involve a thorough review of their social media and online activities. Applicants are asked to modify their privacy settings to facilitate this examination[1].
U.S. officials are on the hunt for any traces of hostility towards the United States, symptoms of terror support, security threats, or unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence[2]. The wide-ranging screening now applies to foreign nationals applying for student and other educational visas, marking a significant expansion beyond previous practices[2]. Staff at the embassies have re-initiated scheduling student visa interviews but are adjusting the process to accommodate the increased workload due to these additional vetting requirements[2].
[1] - Data source: State Department website[2] - Data source: Federal Register guidelines on Visa Security and Terrorism Prevention
- The expanded visa application process for foreign students in the USA now includes a thorough review of their social media profiles, as part of the F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa regulations, focusing on checks for hostile sentiments, terror support, security threats, and unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence.
- The increased scrutiny and vetting of foreign students' applications for educational visas, including modifications to privacy settings for social media screening, are part of the current policy-and-legislation changes, signifying a shift in the immigration system due to politics and general-news developments.
