The US State Department has mandated additional security checks on all visa applicants intending to visit Harvard University, extending previous measures targeting the institution. This directive, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calls for heightened scrutiny of non-immigrant visa applicants, including prospective students, faculty members, contractors, speakers, and tourists.
The enforcement stems from allegations that Harvard has not ensured a campus free from violence and anti-Semitism. Consular officers worldwide have been instructed to evaluate applicants' social media activity to detect any indications of anti-Semitic behavior. Applicants with private social media accounts may be required to make these profiles public to verify their backgrounds.
Additionally, the State Department has suspended new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa interviews pending updated guidelines on social media vetting. This pause aims to strengthen the evaluation process for F, M, and J visa categories, essential for foreign students' entry to the United States.
The enhanced vetting follows a broader crackdown on academic institutions and immigration policies under the current administration. Actions against Harvard have included freezing federal grant funds, threatening to revoke tax-exempt status, and opening investigations concerning alleged discriminatory hiring practices. Officials have also targeted foreign students, particularly those with links to certain governments, resulting in visa revocations.
These measures reflect ongoing tensions in higher education around issues of political bias, immigration control, and campus safety. The State Department has announced that detailed guidance on social media evaluation will be released shortly to support consular officers in implementing these policies efficiently.
