The State Department has resumed student visa interviews, introducing new requirements for applicants to set their social media accounts to public for scrutiny.

This move follows a previous pause on education visa issuance by the Trump administration, which was considering social media vetting amid rising tensions with China.

Applicants who refuse to make their social media profiles public may face rejection, as this could suggest an attempt to hide information.

The initiative aligns with guidance from US Citizenship and Immigration Services and has drawn criticism for potentially targeting dissent against Israel's actions in Gaza.

The increased scrutiny of international students reflects broader trends in U.S. immigration policy, including heightened grounds for terminating student legal status.

Previously, the Trump administration indicated that student visa holders could be deported for supporting pro-Palestinian protests or criticizing Israel.

This decision follows the suspension of foreign students' visa appointments last month, part of a broader initiative addressing antisemitism and national security.

Moreover, around 1,200 approved award recipients are undergoing an unauthorized review process that could lead to their rejection.

The State Department has emphasized that thorough vetting will be conducted on all student and exchange visitor applicants to ensure national security.

However, these new procedures are expected to strain consulate resources, as staff will need to conduct detailed reviews of social media accounts.

Civil liberties advocates have criticized these measures, arguing they may infringe on free speech and resemble Cold War-era ideological vetting.

Ultimately, failure to provide access to social media profiles will raise suspicions of concealing information from U.S. officials.