U.S. Resumes Student Visa Processing—But Social Media Check Required

WASHINGTON, DC — June 19, 2025 The U.S. State Department has resumed issuing F-, M-, and J-category student visas after a temporary suspension in May, yet a new mandate now requires all foreign applicants to set their personal social media accounts to public for government inspection. This policy, announced via an internal cable on June 18, directs consular officers to review applicants’ entire online presence for signs of hostility toward the U.S.—including support for terrorism, antisemitism, or anti‑government sentiment.

Further guidance recommends prioritizing students destined for institutions where international enrollment is under 15%, disadvantaging those headed to Ivy League or heavily global universities. The directive also applies retroactively to pending visa cases.

Critics—including civil‑liberties advocates and university representatives—have raised alarms about privacy infringement, ideological bias, and a chilling effect on political expression. Many international applicants are reportedly deleting or limiting social media content to avoid scrutiny.

Supporters, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump-era policymakers, argue that such monitoring is essential to advance national security in the age of digital connectivity. The strategy echoes earlier efforts from 2023–2024 when visa bans were enacted in response to campus unrest, notably at universities like Harvard.

As new vetting procedures roll out over the coming days, some students face uncertainty around program start dates, potential backlogs, and evolving visa requirements.

*Sources:
*https://apnews.com/article/student-visas-trump-social-media-6632a2c585245edcd6a63594345dd8c7