Foreign students applying to study in the U.S. must now make their social media profiles public for screening under new State Department rules. The updated policy, aimed at identifying anti-American or antisemitic content, resumes visa processing after a brief pause in May.

According to officials, consular officers will thoroughly vet all student and exchange applicants, requiring them to adjust privacy settings for full visibility. This move aligns with a long-standing push—intensified by the Trump administration—to block individuals deemed hostile to U.S. values, culture, or foreign policy.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has recently revoked visas of students involved in protests critical of U.S. allies, such as Israel, citing laws that allow denial based on foreign policy concerns. Social media checks have been part of U.S. immigration procedures for years but are now central to student visa approvals.