US resumes visas for foreign students but demands access to social media accounts
The US State Department said on Wednesday it is restarting the suspended process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for government review.
The department said consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles.
In a notice made public on Wednesday, the department said it had rescinded its May suspension of student visa processing but said new applicants who refuse to set their social media accounts to 'public' and allow them to be reviewed may be rejected.
It said a refusal to do so could be a sign they are trying to evade the requirement or hide their online activity.
The Trump administration last month temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students hoping to study in the US while preparing to expand the screening of their activity on social media, officials said.
03:40
Absurd, anxious, concerned: Students react to US revoking Chinese student visas
Absurd, anxious, concerned: Students react to US revoking Chinese student visas
Students around the world have been waiting anxiously for US consulates to reopen appointments for visa interviews, as the window left to book their travel and make housing arrangements narrows ahead of the start of the school year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Trump reiterates ‘maximum' 2 weeks for US to decide whether to join Israel against Iran
US President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated his two-week timeline for deciding whether America would join Israel 's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it the 'maximum' window for action in an apparent bid to pressure Tehran to negotiate. Advertisement Asked by a reporter whether the US could launch a strike before the two-week deadline, Trump on Friday replied: 'I would say two weeks would be the maximum.' The American leader also on Friday declined Iran 's call for him to urge Israel to stop its air strikes, saying, 'It is very hard to make that request right now.' Israel on Friday launched fresh strikes against dozens of targets in Iran, including missile production facilities. 'If somebody is winning, it's a little bit harder to do that than if somebody is losing,' Trump said, referring to Israel's battlefield advantage. Advertisement 'But we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens,' he added. 'We'll see what happens.'
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Trump reiterates ‘maximum' two weeks for US to decide whether to join Israel against Iran
US President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated his two-week timeline for deciding whether America would join Israel 's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it the 'maximum' window for action in an apparent bid to pressure Tehran to negotiate. Asked by a reporter whether the US could launch a strike before the two-week deadline, Trump on Friday replied: 'I would say two weeks would be the maximum.' The American leader also on Friday declined Iran 's call for him to urge Israel to stop its air strikes, saying, 'It is very hard to make that request right now.' Israel on Friday launched fresh strikes against dozens of targets in Iran, including missile production facilities. 'If somebody is winning, it's a little bit harder to do that than if somebody is losing,' Trump said, referring to Israel's battlefield advantage. 'But we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens,' he added. 'We'll see what happens.'
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Trump says he may soon strike ‘mindbogglingly' historic deal with Harvard
US President Donald Trump said his administration has been working closely with Harvard University and may announce a deal over the next week, potentially ending a stand-off between the White House and the richest and oldest US university. 'They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right,' Trump said Friday on social media. 'If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' Harvard has been front and centre in the White House's campaign to reshape elite higher education, with the administration accusing the school of fostering antisemitism and for having political biases. The government has suspended more than US$2.6 billion in federal research money and said Harvard would not be able to receive new funding. Trump has also repeatedly called for Harvard to lose its tax-exempt status, which would have significant financial implications, even with the school's US$53 billion endowment. In addition, he has sought to block the university from enrolling foreign students, sparking a court battle.
