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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Will your social media meme get you denied a US visa? Here is what every Indian student must know
Indian students review their online presence before a visa interview. A quiet tension hangs in the air, mixed with hope. (AI Image) The US State Department has resumed processing student visas for foreign nationals, including thousands of Indian students eager to pursue higher education in the US. This follows a temporary suspension in May, which left many applicants in limbo as the academic year approached. However, a new policy has introduced a significant hurdle: All visa applicants must now provide full access to their social media accounts for review. This expanded vetting process, aimed at identifying "hostility" towards the US, its culture, government, or institutions, has sparked concerns among Indian students, who form the largest group of international students in the US Why social media scrutiny? The US State Department's new directive mandates that consular officers thoroughly examine applicants' social media profiles, which must be set to "public" for review. Posts or interactions deemed anti-American or supportive of terrorism or antisemitism could lead to visa denial. Refusal to grant access may be interpreted as an attempt to conceal online activity, further jeopardising approval chances. Impact on Indian students Indian students, contributing over $40 billion annually to the US economy, face unique challenges under this policy. Many have expressed anxiety about their online presence, fearing that even humorous memes or political comments could be misconstrued. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless medalmerit Learn More Undo For instance, a light-hearted post critiquing US culture might be flagged as hostile, despite being innocuous. The vague guidelines leave room for subjective interpretation, raising concerns about fairness. How to prepare your online presence To navigate this, students are advised to audit their social media accounts well in advance. They should delete inactive profiles and ensure active ones reflect neutral or professional content. "I don't think any American would want to be judged by their worst tweet," said Stuart Anderson of the National Foundation for American Policy, as quoted by the Washington Post, highlighting the risk of broad interpretations. Compiling a list of current handles for the DS-160 visa application form is crucial, as incomplete disclosures could signal evasiveness. Broader implications and criticisms Critics, including Jameel Jaffer of the Knight First Amendment Institute, argue that this policy chills free speech, evoking Cold War-era ideological vetting. "This policy makes a censor of every consular officer, and it will inevitably chill legitimate political speech both inside and outside the United States," Jaffer said, as reported by the Associated Press. The requirement, rooted in Executive Order 14188, targets issues like antisemitism but risks stifling legitimate political expression. Indian students, already navigating delays and a new US travel ban affecting six countries, must now tread carefully online to secure their academic dreams. With visa interviews resuming, proactive preparation is key. Indian students should monitor official US embassy updates and maintain a professional digital footprint to avoid visa complications. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
US reopens foreign students visa process but there is a catch: 10 points
The visa process for the United States just got a lot more invasive. The US State Department on Thursday officially resumed processing student visa applications, but with a twist. Now, applicants must unlock their social media accounts for government review. 1. After a short and temporary suspension, the United States government has restarted student visa applications. However, the new policy needs applicants to make their social media accounts public during the review process refusal to follow could lead to rejection. 2. According to Associated Press reports, consular officers are now instructed to scan applicants' social media for any posts that might seem hostile toward the US government, institutions, culture, or founding principles. Even the political opinion could be misinterpreted. 3. The US State Department has warned that if an applicant declines to make their social media visible, it may be interpreted as an attempt to hide something, potentially jeopardizing their visa approval. 4. Applicants from different countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines are among those most anxiously tracking visa slots, refreshing websites daily and watching State Department updates closely. 5. The US will now prioritise visa interviews for students applying to institutions where international students make up less than 15 per cent of the population. This can completely disadvantages students aiming for top private schools, especially the Ivy League schools, where foreign student ratios are much higher. 6. Harvard University, with around 25 per cent international enrollment, has faced explicit targeting. The Trump administration accused the school of permitting 'antisemitic' speech and proposed capping foreign admissions at 15 per cent. 7. Critics liken this policy to Cold War-era ideological vetting. According to Jameel Jaffer, executive director at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, the new screening could suppress free speech and create a 'censorship' culture among consular officers, AP reported. 8. Earlier this year, students even those with minor infractions like traffic violations faced sudden deportation orders. Though the decision was later reversed, the expansion of revocation criteria remains a looming threat. 9. The United States is now pressing 36 countries to ramp up their own screening systems or risk being added to the US travel ban list, which currently includes 12 nations. These demands come with a strict 60-day compliance deadline. 10. This policy shift is likely to reduce applications to US universities, especially elite institutions.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US resumes student visas but mandates full access to social media accounts
The US State Department announced on June 18, 2025, that it is resuming the processing of student visas for foreign nationals. However, a new policy now requires all applicants to grant full access to their social media accounts as part of an expanded vetting process. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The department's move follows a month-long suspension of visa interview scheduling, which aimed to prepare consular staff for the new screening procedures. As reported by the Associated Press, applicants who refuse to make their accounts public or deny access could be denied entry into the US. Officials stated that refusal to comply may be interpreted as an attempt to conceal online activity or evade national security protocols. Screening for anti-US sentiment and ideology In its public notice, the State Department said consular officers will examine posts and messages for any signs of hostility toward US culture, government, institutions, or founding values. The guidance instructs visa officials to carefully screen applicants for ideological leanings and political speech that could be considered a threat to US interests. As quoted by the Associated Press, the department stated this policy 'will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country. ' This shift has raised serious concerns among civil liberties advocates. Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, said the policy resembles Cold War-era ideological vetting. 'This policy makes a censor of every consular officer, and it will inevitably chill legitimate political speech both inside and outside the United States,' Jaffer said, as reported by the Associated Press. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Foreign students still face prioritization and quotas Though student visa processing has resumed, the State Department instructed US consulates to prioritize applicants planning to attend universities where foreign students make up less than 15% of the student body. According to the Associated Press, this could impact nearly 200 institutions, including all eight Ivy League schools and 26 public universities such as the University of Illinois and Pennsylvania State University. The Trump administration has been pushing to cap foreign student enrollment, especially at elite institutions like Harvard University, which relies on international students for both enrollment numbers and tuition revenue. Trump has previously argued that such schools should limit their foreign student populations to 15%. Students globally express relief and concern The decision to resume visa appointments brought relief to many waiting students. One 27-year-old Chinese Ph.D. student in Toronto secured a visa interview and told the Associated Press, 'I'm really relieved… I've been refreshing the website couple of times every day.' Still, the balance between national security and academic freedom continues to stir debate as the new policy takes effect.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
US reopens visas for foreign students, imposes mandatory social media screening
The US State Department on Wednesday announced that it is restarting student visa applications for foreigners. However, all applicants will now have to give access to their social media accounts for review. The department said consular officers will check for posts or messages that appear hostile toward the United States, its government, culture, institutions, or founding values. Student visa applicants who refuse to make their social media accounts public may now face rejection, the US State Department said in a notice released Wednesday. The department also announced it had lifted the suspension on student visa processing imposed in May. It added that refusing access to social media could be seen as an attempt to hide online behaviour or evade screening. The Trump administration temporarily paused new visa interview appointments for international students last month as it prepared to tighten social media screening, officials said. Students worldwide have been anxiously waiting for US consulates to resume scheduling, with limited time left to arrange travel and housing before the academic year begins. 'Under new guidance, consular officers will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting of all student and exchange visitor applicants,' the department said in a statement. 'To facilitate this vetting,' applicants 'will be asked to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to 'public,' the department said. It added, 'The enhanced social media vetting will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country.' The State Department has instructed consular officers to screen visa applicants' social media profiles for 'any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.' Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, criticised the move, saying it echoes Cold War-era ideological vetting that excluded artists and intellectuals. 'This policy makes a censor of every consular officer, and it will inevitably chill legitimate political speech both inside and outside the United States," Jaffer said.
CNN
28-05-2025
- General
- CNN
‘Incredibly damaging' for the United States: Columbia professor on US pausing foreign student visas
Jameel Jaffer, Executive Director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, talks to Bianna Golodryga about the U.S. State Department pausing visa applications for international students.
