WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is pumping the brakes on all overseas pupil visas and contemplating whether or not to vet new candidates based mostly on their social media posts.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered US embassies and consulates on Tuesday to pause any pupil visa applicant interviews, based on an inner cable obtained by Politico.
“Efficient instantly, in preparation for an growth of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections shouldn’t add any extra pupil or change customer … visa appointment capability till additional steerage is issued [separate telegram], which we anticipate within the coming days,” the cable learn.
Each the State Division and Division of Homeland Safety have moved to strip hundreds of visas from overseas college students in current weeks with combined success.
“We don’t discuss particular person visa circumstances,” State Division spokeswoman Tammy Bruce advised reporters.
“We take very critically the method of vetting who it’s that comes into the nation. And we’re going to proceed to try this … and once more, whether or not they be pupil[s] or for those who’re a vacationer who wants a visa, or whoever you’re, we’re going to be taking a look at you,” she added.
“It appears to be such a controversial factor that’s occurring, but it surely shouldn’t be, and each nation ought to take critically, and does, who’s coming in. So for those who’re going to be making use of for a visa, observe the traditional course of, the traditional steps, count on to be checked out and and we go on from there.”
Final week, Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem moved to kick out practically 7,000 Harvard College college students from overseas international locations — however was blocked by a federal choose.
Oakland, Calif. US District Decide Jeffrey S. White carried out a nationwide injunction barring the Trump administration from terminating the authorized standing of any worldwide college students or permitting immigration authorities to arrest or detain them.
No less than 4,000 visas have already been revoked from worldwide college students with rap sheets — with prices together with arson, wildlife and human trafficking, baby endangerment, home abuse, DUI and theft, a senior State Division official advised The Publish final month.
The division beforehand arrange a synthetic intelligence-powered pilot program to “catch and revoke” pupil visas after scrubbing holders’ social media accounts for statements expressing sympathy with Hamas or different terror teams, based on Axios.
“Those that assist designated terrorist organizations, together with Hamas, threaten our nationwide safety,” Rubio mentioned. “America has zero tolerance for overseas guests who assist terrorists.”
US Citizenship and Immigration Providers (USCIS) introduced in early April it was additionally bearing in mind an applicant’s assist for “antisemitic terrorism” when deciding whether or not to reject pupil visas or inexperienced playing cards.
Mahmoud Khalil was one of many first college students whose position in anti-Israel demonstrations at Columbia College bought his visa and inexperienced card canceled in March.
The Trump administration has since been challenged in each immigration and federal courts over claims it had the appropriate to deport Khalil, who served as a spokesman for anti-Israel teams together with Columbia College Apartheid Divest.
Devin Connolly, managing associate at Reeves Immigration Legislation Group — which is dealing with some circumstances of overseas college students with revoked visas — mentioned opinions of social media accounts aren’t new and have most frequently been utilized by authorities to find out whether or not a wedding is authentic.
“The administration, and particularly Secretary Rubio, has been very clear that no person is entitled to a visa and that they won’t be issuing visas to overseas nationals whose beliefs and actions are opposite to america’ nationwide pursuits,” Connolly mentioned.
“Nonetheless, to what extent will social media postings which can be essential of the Trump administration and its insurance policies be thought of to be in battle with our nationwide pursuits?” he requested.
“It’s simple to foresee denials for sure postings about Israel and Hamas, however what about postings about Afrikaners being granted refugee standing? We should see if a topic like that’s controversial sufficient to warrant a denial.”
The White Home and State Division didn’t instantly reply to The Publish’s requests for remark Tuesday.
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