New Requirement: Student Visa Applicants Must Publicize Social Media Accounts

On Monday, U.S. embassies announced that student visa applicants must set their social media accounts to “public” for scrutiny, ostensibly for ideological screening related to national security. This directive is part of a broader crackdown targeting international students who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests or displayed anti-Israel sentiments. The U.S. Embassy in London emphasized that visa adjudications are national security decisions, and applicants will face increased vetting to assess their identity and admissibility. Under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visa cancellations have been reported for students engaging in such protests, with Rubio stating his intent to eliminate individuals with “disfavored views.” Critics, including free speech advocates, argue that this policy represents viewpoint discrimination, warning that it could lead to suppression of dissent regarding various political issues. Such practices risk infringing on First Amendment rights and set a dangerous precedent for targeting critics of U.S. foreign policy.

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