In an age when a person’s digital footprint often precedes his or her physical one, the best way to get to know someone is to check social media.
That’s why President Donald Trump’s administration wisely ordered U.S. consular officers to conduct a “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of all student and exchange visitor applications, including a review of applicants’ social media profiles. The move comes with the resumption of the visa interview process, which the administration halted in late May to develop its expanded online screening process.
The purpose of the order, according to an internal State Department cable, is to identify applicants who “bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.” Applicants with social media accounts with privacy settings set to “private” may be deemed as attempting to hide their activity, which would disqualify them from consideration.
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the announcement by the State Department read. “The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.”
The move reflects a long-standing priority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called for the revocation of visas from students who participated in the chaotic pro-Palestinian campus protests in 2024. As secretary of state, Rubio has revoked the visas of thousands of people due to participation in activities that run counter to U.S. foreign policy priorities.
The Trump administration’s commitment to protecting the nation by crafting a visa policy that prioritizes national security and cultural cohesion marks a long-needed reset. A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. No one is entitled to access to our universities or job markets. No other nation on Earth is expected to allow hostile foreign nationals to exploit its educational and economic opportunities while undermining its values and security.
Japan, for example, has a highly restrictive visa policy, largely stemming from a historical emphasis on cultural preservation, and Australia has a strict “character requirement” for visas. The first sentence of Canada’s “How are immigrants selected” website states that “immigration must be responsive to our country’s needs.” And rightly so.
Foreign student advocates and immigration attorneys express worry that the new social media monitoring system will amount to an “ideological litmus test,” possibly penalizing applicants for their political views or expressions. Such concerns about a chilling effect on free speech are legitimate.
But the revolutionary fervor and deep anti-American activism that ripped apart university campuses last year requires a closer examination of the views of foreign students. Having noncitizens call for the downfall of America while simultaneously enjoying the privileges of being a student visa holder is simply intolerable.
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Additionally, the previous administration’s lax immigration policies that allowed millions of undocumented immigrants to flood into the nation make tightening every aspect of the system a national security imperative.
The Trump administration’s visa vetting overhaul, with its sharp focus on social media scrutiny, is a bold and necessary move. Checking the social media accounts of visa applicants for hostility toward America is an obvious step in safeguarding America’s security and values.