Rubio Wants Visa Applicants Socials Checked

In an attempt to prevent those suspected of criticizing the US and Israel from entering the country, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed diplomats abroad to carefully review the social media posts of certain applicants for student and other sorts of visas, according to U.S. officials. On March 25, Mr. Rubio delivered a lengthy cable to diplomatic outposts outlining the directives. President Trump launched a campaign to deport some foreign nationals, particularly those who potentially have “hostile attitudes” toward American “citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles,” nine weeks prior to the action. Additionally, Mr. Trump signed an executive order to start a crackdown on what he described as antisemitism, which includes expelling international students who participated in demonstrations against Israel’s war in Gaza on campuses. According to two American officials with knowledge of the cable, Mr. Rubio’s directive stated that consular personnel must send specific applicants for student and exchange visitor visas to the “fraud prevention unit” for a “mandatory social media check” as of right now. Applicants are screened by the fraud prevention unit of the consular affairs department of an embassy or consulate, which is responsible for issuing visas.
The cable outlined the general criteria that diplomats ought to apply when determining whether to refuse a visa.

Source:The New York Times