US Reopens Visas for International Students, Seeks Access to
Their Social Media

Los Angeles/ Jun 19, 2025
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

The United States has announced it will begin rescheduling visa appointments for international students, with a significant new requirement—applicants must grant access to their social media profiles as part of enhanced screening procedures.

According to the State Department, this measure aims to identify any signs of animosity toward American citizens, values, government institutions, or the nation’s founding principles. Immigration officers have been directed to expand their review of applicants’ online activity to better assess potential threats.

The revised policy will apply to all applicants for F visas, which are commonly issued to students attending academic programs. It will also affect M visa applicants, typically granted to vocational students, and J visa applicants, including exchange visitors and scholars.

Officials stated that individuals who choose to keep their social media accounts private may be flagged as potentially concealing their online behavior. "The American public expects its government to prioritize safety," said a senior State Department official, defending the increased scrutiny. "That is precisely what this administration is committed to."

In addition to general vetting, consular officers have been instructed to pay special attention to any individuals who may support terrorism, promote national security threats, or engage in unlawful anti-Semitic conduct, including violence or harassment.

These measures come as part of a wider campaign by the Trump administration to clamp down on perceived threats from foreign students and academic institutions. President Trump has accused top universities of harboring leftist ideologies and failing to address anti-Semitic incidents linked to pro-Palestinian activism on campuses.

This crackdown has included halting or freezing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for elite universities and attempting to limit their ability to host international students. While some of these actions have faced legal challenges, they underscore the administration’s intent to reshape higher education policy.

One prominent example is Harvard University, which saw $2.65 billion in federal research grants suspended. The Trump administration also attempted to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students, though a federal judge has paused that action pending a court decision.

Despite the policy changes, the U.S. remains a top destination for global students. In the 2023–2024 academic year, over 1.1 million students from more than 210 countries were enrolled in American institutions, according to data from Open Doors, a group that tracks international education trends.

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