US Student Visas- Enhanced Social Media Vetting
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April 8, 2025
Media has reported that a cable was sent by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 26, 2025, to State Department employees entitled "Action Request: Enhanced Screening and Social Media Vetting for Visa Applicants." The cable requires consular officers to refer all F-1 Academic Student, J-1 Exchange Visitor, and M Vocational or Non-Academic Student visa applicants for a review of their social media activity.
The issuance of this cable likely adheres to President Trump's January 20, 2025 executive orders, including Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (EO 14161). Additionally, the cable mandates enhanced social media vetting for any visa applicants who held a student or exchange visa between October 7, 2023, and August 31, 2024, or whose visa was terminated between October 7, 2023, and the present.
In the cable, the Department of State asserts that the issuance of visas is part of its national security and foreign policy functions, creating new guidelines for denying or revoking F and M student visas and J visas for "college, university, and other post-secondary students" on these grounds. The cable directs consular officers to review F, M, or J student visa applications to determine if those students intend to travel to the United States to engage in unlawful activities or activities different from what the applicant claims in their visa application. It instructs consular officers to deny visa applications on 214(b) grounds if the applicant does not credibly demonstrate that all activities while in the United States are consistent with their visa classification requirements. A visa can be revoked for supporting terrorism or showing hostility towards U.S. citizens, culture, government, or institutions. The cable calls for a review of valid visas for possible revocations (both immigrant and non-immigrant visas).
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