US orders strict scrutiny of student visa applicants

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered further scrutiny of student visa applicants.

Secretary of State stated that diplomats should review the social media content of student visa applicants.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the aim is to prevent those who criticize the U.S. and Israel from entering the U.S.

Media reports siad, denials of F-1 student visa in the United States have reached a decade-high, with 41% of applications rejected in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, which spans from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024.

Out of 679,000 F-1 visa applications, 279,000 were denied, up from 253,000 rejections in the previous fiscal year (2022-2023), when 36% of applications were turned down.

The updated process aims to exclude individuals deemed to support terrorism or other national security threats.

This directive, shared with consular officers has raised concerns about broader implications for academic freedom and individual privacy. It follows several high-profile visa revocations and arrests linked to pro-Palestinian activism on university campuses.

The Guardian reported that the new guidelines, outlined in a State Department memo are designed to block applicants connected to what the U.S. defines as “terrorist activity.

The new guidance specifies that evidence of support for terrorism—whether through direct advocacy, financial contributions, or other forms of endorsement for terrorist activities or organisations—may result in a visa denial.

The directive particularly targets student visa categories such as F, M, and J visas, which are issued to individuals studying in the United States.