Foreign students applying to study in the United States may have their social media vetted following a new directive from the Donald Trump-led administration.
POLITICO reported the changes after obtaining a cable signed on Tuesday.
In preparation for such required vetting, the administration is ordering US embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new interviews for such student visa applicants.
The decision could affect many international students from Africa and other regions—especially Nigerians—who choose the US for academic opportunities and also impact many universities who rely heavily on foreign students to boost their revenue.
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The cable was signed by Marco Rubio, the secretary of state.
“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days,” the cable states.
“Septel” is state department shorthand for “separate telegram”.
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The increased crackdown comes weeks after dozens of foreign students had their visas revoked without reason.
The Trump administration had earlier imposed some social media screening requirements that were largely targeted at returning students who may have participated in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The new directive does not spell out clear conditions for the social media screening but re-echoes previous executive orders that are aimed at keeping out terrorists and battling antisemitism.
Some of the rules have been heavily applied to Harvard University, which is currently embroiled in a funding row with the US government.
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