Tengrinews.kz – The United States has resumed accepting applications for student visas. Now, all international students must provide access to their social media accounts, according to Deutsche Welle.
As clarified by the U.S. State Department, a refusal by an applicant to make their accounts publicly accessible may be interpreted as an attempt to conceal online activity.
“Under new guidance, consular officers will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting of all student and exchange visitor applicants. The enhanced social media vetting will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country,” the statement said.
According to the source, internal guidelines issued to consular staff instruct them to pay attention to any signs of hostility toward U.S. citizens, culture, government, institutions, or fundamental principles.
Previously, the Trump administration had suspended new student visa interviews in the United States.
It should be noted that at the end of May, the Trump administration banned Harvard University from enrolling foreign students. The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security at the time ordered the immediate revocation of the certificate that allowed the university to do so, accusing Harvard, among other things, of “promoting violence and antisemitism.”
The next day, a U.S. federal court temporarily blocked the attempt to strip Harvard of its right to admit foreign students. This ruling prevents the White House from revoking the certificate that authorized the university to run its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) while the case is under detailed review in court. The President’s administration may appeal the decision.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education commented on the situation involving the expulsion of Kazakh students from Harvard University.
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