U.S. Student Visa Rule: Your Social Media Will Now Be Screened

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has rolled out new guidelines for diplomats overseas, directing them to dig into the social media profiles of people applying for student and exchange visas. The move, detailed in a cable sent on March 25, is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to screen out individuals who might have criticized the U.S. or Israel, especially amid ongoing tensions over Gaza conflict protests.

Rubio’s directive targets F, M, and J visa applicants—categories for students and exchange visitors—focusing on anyone who might show a “hostile attitude” toward American values or institutions.

This includes those suspected of supporting Palestinians or being linked to terrorism. “We don’t want people in our country that are going to be committing crimes and undermining our national security or the public safety,” Rubio said. “It’s that simple, especially people that are here as guests. That is what a visa is.”

The policy also applies to current visa holders who had active student or exchange visas between October 7, 2023, and August 31, 2024, or those whose visas were revoked since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.

Consular officers are now required to send certain applications to a “fraud prevention unit” for a social media review. If an applicant’s online activity raises red flags, their visa could be denied.

Since taking office in late January, Rubio has already revoked over 300 visas, mostly from students involved in anti-Israel protests. Speaking to a reporter, he noted that some students are “going beyond demonstration” and “creating a ruckus” on campuses, even describing their actions as “riots.” He added, “My standard: If we knew this information about them before we gave them a visa, would we have allowed them in? And if the answer is no, then we revoke the visa.”

The new rules are likely to push visa applicants to be more cautious about their online activity, as expressing anti-U.S. sentiments or support for Palestinians could jeopardize their chances of entering the country.