The United States will resume student visa processing at its diplomatic missions around the world, but with a new condition: all applicants must make their social media profiles public for vetting purposes. This comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to intensify background checks on foreign students.

A senior US State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, announced on Wednesday that consular officers will now carry out “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas, which are issued to international students and exchange visitors.

“To facilitate this vetting, all applicants will be asked to adjust the privacy settings on their social media profiles to ‘public,’” the official stated. “Posts may now resume scheduling F, M, and J visa applications.”

The new directive follows a May 27 order that temporarily halted visa appointments for students and exchange visitors as the government reviewed and expanded its social media screening policy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier said revised guidelines would be issued once the review was completed.

Officials under the Trump administration have justified the enhanced screening by claiming that expressions of support for Palestinians or criticism of Israel — particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Gaza — could indicate sympathies with Hamas, which they label a threat to US foreign policy. Visa or green-card holders expressing such views may face deportation.

Critics, however, have denounced the policy as a violation of First Amendment rights, arguing that penalising individuals for their political opinions undermines the constitutional right to free speech.

As the new policy takes effect, it is likely to provoke further debate about national security, freedom of expression, and the treatment of international students in the US. (AriseNews TV)