Overview

• On June 19 the State Department lifted a month-long halt on student and academic visas and introduced mandatory social media vetting for all foreign applicants
• Prospective visa holders must grant border officials access to public social media accounts to detect any posts critical of U.S. citizens, culture, government or institutions
• Diplomatic officers are instructed to flag content indicating defense, assistance or support for foreign terrorist organizations and any endorsement of antisemitic violence
• Universities and rights groups warn the process risks chilling free expression, fostering self-censorship and undermining America’s appeal to international scholars
• The administration frames the new rules as vital to strengthening national security and combating campus antisemitism and terrorism threats