Overview

• A May 30 diplomatic cable orders all U.S. embassies and consulates to apply extra scrutiny to any nonimmigrant visa applicant traveling to Harvard, covering students, faculty, contractors, speakers and tourists.
• Consular officers are instructed to conduct thorough reviews of applicants’ online presence, view private or absent social media accounts as potential credibility issues and require public profiles for deeper vetting.
• The enhanced screening aims to flag individuals with histories of antisemitic harassment or violence and follows moves to freeze billions in federal grants and challenge Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
• Harvard has filed lawsuits arguing the measures infringe on academic freedom and on May 29 a federal judge extended an injunction blocking the administration’s bid to revoke its international enrollment authority.
• Labor unions and international student groups warn the crackdown threatens thousands of researchers and workers and could become a template for expanded vetting at other U.S. universities.