Policy Announcement
The US State Department announced the resumption of student visa processing for foreigners, requiring applicants to make their social media accounts public for government review.
This policy aims to screen for posts deemed hostile to the US, its government, culture, institutions, or founding principles, with refusals potentially leading to visa application rejections.
Criticism and Concerns
Critics, including Jameel Jaffer from the Knight First Amendment Institute, argue the policy resembles Cold War-era ideological vetting, potentially chilling legitimate political speech.
The policy adds to the scrutiny international students face, with previous actions including the revocation of study permissions for thousands and efforts to block foreign students from attending Harvard University.