Trump Administration Orders Enhanced Vetting for All Harvard-Linked Visa Applicants
CAMBRDIGE, MA — June 1, 2025 The U.S. State Department, under President Trump's directive, has mandated intensified vetting procedures for all foreign nationals seeking visas to visit Harvard University. This directive encompasses not only prospective and current students but also faculty, researchers, contractors, guest speakers, and tourists.
An internal email dated May 29 instructs consular officers to conduct comprehensive reviews of applicants' online presences, including social media accounts. Applicants may be asked to make private accounts public, and a lack of online presence could be considered suspicious.
This policy serves as a pilot program for broader visa applicant screening, potentially extending to other universities and visa categories.
The enhanced scrutiny follows the Trump administration's accusations that Harvard has failed to address antisemitism on campus and has ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Consequently, the administration has frozen over $2 billion in federal funding to the university and attempted to revoke its ability to enroll international students—a move currently blocked by a federal judge.
Critics argue that the policy infringes on academic freedom and may deter international scholars. Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the administration, claiming the measures are unconstitutional.
As the situation develops, universities and international applicants worldwide are closely monitoring the implications for academic collaboration and mobility.