Federal authorities are gearing up to scrutinize the social media profiles of individuals seeking visas to study, work, or visit Harvard University, in an initiative aimed at identifying indications of antisemitism. This move signifies a recent episode in the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the prestigious Ivy League institution.
In a memo disseminated on Friday, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Harvard University was accused of inadequately addressing violence and antisemitism on its campus. The document emphasized that this vetting process will assist consular officers in pinpointing applicants with prior offenses, evaluating their visa eligibility under the existing U.S. immigration legislation.
The directive has been dispatched to all U.S. embassies and consulates, taking effect without delay. It is introduced as a pilot initiative, potentially paving the way for expansion beyond its initial scope, as outlined in the memo.
Harvard University has yet to provide any response to an inquiry seeking their comment on the matter.
The institution previously emerged as the first to openly resist White House mandates for structural changes at prestigious universities, which have been critiqued by the administration as nurturing liberal and antisemitic values.
Consequently, the federal government has rescinded $2.6 billion in federal funding from Harvard, the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university, compelling it to finance much of its research endeavors independently. Additionally, President Donald Trump has threatened to abolish the university’s tax-exempt status.
Recently, Harvard initiated legal action against the federal government following the revocation of its authorization to host international students on its Cambridge, Massachusetts campus, by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. However, a federal judge has since halted this decision.
Currently, over 25% of Harvard’s Cambridge campus students are international, predominantly graduate students from more than 100 different countries around the globe.
Earlier this week, the State Department put a temporary hold on scheduling new visa interviews for foreign students intending to study in the U.S., stating it was gearing up to intensify the scrutiny of their social media activities. It’s still uncertain if this suspension has been lifted.
This newly introduced measure builds upon prior initiatives by the Trump administration to evaluate visa applicants’ social media accounts, a practice that continued during former President Joe Biden’s tenure.
The guideline instructs officials to take note if a visa hopeful lacks an online presence or keeps their social media profiles private, suggesting that these actions could potentially indicate evasiveness and cast doubt on the applicant’s credibility.
“If you are not convinced that the applicant’s credibility aligns with the standards mandated by the visa classification they are applying for, deny the request,” states the memo.
Furthermore, officials have been directed to extend their investigation beyond merely reviewing social media content to encompass a more comprehensive analysis of the individual’s online presence.