US says foreign students seeking visas must unlock social media accounts

The US State Department says that it is restarting the process for foreigners to apply for student visas but says all applicants must have their social media accounts set to “public” to allow review by officials.

Consular officers will be looking for activity, posts and messages showing “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States,” the department says.

The announcement is the latest step in the Trump administration’s crackdown on international students. The US says applicants who refuse may have their applications rejected.

If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.

JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY