WASHINGTON (AP) – The US State Department said Wednesday it is restarting the process of suspending foreigners applying for student visas, but that all applicants will need it to unlock Social Media Accounts for Government Reviews.
The department said the consular officers are looking for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or establishment principles.
In a notice released Wednesday, the department said it had withdrawn Student visa processing can be suspended However, he said new applicants who set their social media accounts to “public” and refuse to allow reviews could be denied. He said refusing to do so could be a sign they are trying to avoid the requirements or trying to hide their online activities.
The Trump administration temporarily suspended scheduling new visa interviews last month Foreign students He hopes to study in the US while preparing to expand screening for social media activities, officials said.
Students around the world were waiting worriedly for our consulate to resume bookings for visa interviews. Windows are left to book trips and narrow housing arrangements before the start of the school year.
On Wednesday afternoon, the 27-year-old PhD Toronto student was able to secure an appointment for a visa interview next week. Chinese students hope to travel to the US for their research internship positions that begin in late July. “I feel really relieved,” the student said. The student was worried about being targeted, so he spoke on the condition that he would be identified only by his last name, Chen. “I’ve refreshed my website several times every day.”
Students from China, India, Mexico and the Philippines have posted on social media sites that they monitor visa booking websites and take a closer look at the State Department’s press conference to get indications that appointment bookings may resume.
“Under new guidance, the consuls officers will conduct a comprehensive and thorough review of all students and exchange visitors applicants,” the department said in a statement.
“To facilitate this review,” applicants said, “we will be asked to adjust the privacy settings of all social media profiles to “public.” “The enhanced social media review ensures that we properly screen all those who are about to visit our country.”
In internal guidance sent to consulate officers, the department said it should be looking for “signs of hostility towards citizens, culture, government, institutions, or the principles of establishment of the United States.”
Jameel Jaffer, executive director of Columbia University’s Night First Revision Institute, said the new policy evokes the ideological examination of the Cold War when notable artists and intellectuals are removed from the United States.
“This policy will inevitably cool down legitimate political speeches both inside and outside the United States,” Jaffer said.
International students in the US face increasing scrutiny in several aspects. In the spring, the Trump administration revoked permission to study in the United States for thousands of students, including being involved in traffic violations alone. The reverse of the course. The government too The site has been expanded Foreign students may terminate their legal status.
As part of a pressure campaign aimed at Harvard, the Trump administration has Block foreign students I attend an Ivy League school that relies on international students to study abroad for a quarter of the tuition fees and registrations. Trump said Harvard should limit foreign registrations to 15%.
The Trump administration will also promise 36 countries to improve traveler reviews; Citizens visiting the US are prohibited. The weekend diplomatic cable sent by the State Department says it has 60 days to address concerns and risks that will add to the travel ban, including 12 countries.
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