The US will thoroughly and comprehensively check social networks when granting visas to international students.

After a temporary suspension, on June 19, the US reopened its visa program for international students, and announced that it would tighten checks on applicants' social networks.

On June 19, the US reopened its student visa program after a temporary suspension - Photo: REUTERS

According to Reuters, on June 19, the US State Department directed US diplomatic missions abroad to resume student visa applications after nearly a month of suspension.

However, the US will conduct a more "comprehensive and thorough examination" of the profiles, especially the social media accounts of the candidates, to detect signs that are considered "hostile to the citizens, culture, government , institutions or founding principles of the United States".

“To facilitate this review process, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be required to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public,” a State Department official said.

In addition, if applicants refuse to set their social media accounts to public, they will be denied a visa on the grounds given as "attempting to evade the requirements or concealing online activities".

The social media censorship policy is seen as part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to clamp down on American universities, which the president has accused of “diversifying ideology” and increasing the presence of conservative views.

"The American people expect our government to do everything it can to make our country safer, and that's exactly what the Trump administration is doing every day," a senior State Department official said, adding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is "making America and our universities safer while also helping the State Department move into the 21st century."

However, critics say the policy could undermine freedom of speech, promote ideological assimilation, and cause foreigners to self-censor their speech and behavior or avoid criticizing US government policies.

Additionally, according to The New York Times , the State Department did not specify what constitutes “hostile signals,” which is raising concerns among academics about the White House’s ambiguity and emotional assessment.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/my-se-kiem-tra-toan-dien-va-ky-luong-mang-xa-hoi-khi-cap-visa-cho-sinh-vien-quoc-te-20250619143419517.htm