1 day ago
Last Updated:May 28, 2025, 00:03 IST
US considering new checks on social media profiles of applicants, citing national security risks
US considering new checks on social media profiles of applicants, citing national security risks. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
US embassies have been ordered to temporarily stop scheduling interviews for student visa applicants, as Washington considers stricter scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity, news agency Bloomberg said in a report.
The directive came in a cable issued Tuesday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, signalling a possible shift in how the US vets foreign students seeking admission into American universities.
The move is the latest in a series of steps by the Trump administration to tighten entry of international students, citing concerns over national security and the spread of antisemitic views.
Most Indian students who go to the United States for higher education apply for the F-1 visa, which is meant for full-time academic study at accredited institutions. Those enrolled in vocational or non-academic programs may apply for an M-1 visa. The visa process typically involves securing admission, paying the SEVIS fee, and appearing for an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate.
This development is part of a broader effort by US President Donald Trump to exert greater control over US institutions. His administration has openly criticized major universities like Harvard, accusing them of promoting “woke" liberal ideologies and antisemitism.
Last week, the government sought to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students. However, a judge temporarily suspended that order pending a hearing.
Meanwhile, the administration has announced plans to cancel federal contracts with Harvard, worth an estimated $100 million, aiming to pressure the prestigious university into submission.
The administration “will send a letter to federal agencies today asking them to identify any contracts with Harvard, and whether they can be canceled or redirected elsewhere," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The ending of contracts would mark the severance of business ties between the government and an institution that is both the country’s oldest university and a global research powerhouse.
Harvard President Alan Garber said in a statement that the attempted foreign students ban “imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams."
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:News world US Halts Student Visa Interviews As Trump Admin Weighs Tighter Social Media Checks: Report
