### U.S. Resumes Student Visa Processing with New Social Media Access Requirements The U.S. State Department has announced the resumption of student visa processing for foreign applicants, which had been temporarily halted. This decision comes with a significant new requirement: all applicants must now unlock their social media accounts for government review. The move aims to enhance national security by identifying individuals who may pose a threat or exhibit hostility towards the United States and its values. This policy shift is part of a broader trend under the Trump administration to tighten immigration controls and vetting processes for foreign nationals seeking to study in the U.S. [https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-resumes-visas-for-foreign-students-but-demands-access-to-social-media-accounts/article69711662.ece]. ### Breakdown of the New Visa Requirements and Implications 1. **Resumption of Visa Processing**: The U.S. has restarted student visa appointments after a temporary suspension, which was implemented last month due to various administrative concerns [https://www.business-standard.com/immigration/us-resumes-student-visa-but-anti-american-social-media-posts-risk-rejection-125061900109_1.html]. 2. **Social Media Access Requirement**: Applicants are now required to make their social media accounts public. This includes any posts or messages that could be interpreted as hostile towards the U.S. government, culture, or institutions [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/trump-administration-restarting-student-visa-appointments-us-state-department-5190916]. 3. **National Security Focus**: The new vetting process is designed to identify potential threats to national security. Consular officers will scrutinize online activities for indications of anti-American sentiment [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/3463214-us-resumes-student-visas-with-new-social-media-vetting]. 4. **Impact on Applicants**: This requirement may deter some potential applicants who are concerned about privacy and the implications of having their social media scrutinized. Posts that could be deemed critical of the U.S. may lead to visa denials [https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/06/18/us-will-resume-suspended-foreign-student-visas-begin-vetting-students-social-media]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Policy Implementation Date**: The new social media vetting policy was announced on June 18, 2025, and is effective immediately for all new visa applications [https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2025-06-18/us-resumes-visas-for-foreign-students-but-demands-access-to-social-media-accounts]. - **Scope of Review**: Consular officers are instructed to look for any online behavior that could indicate hostility towards U.S. citizens or its foundational principles [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3463148-us-resumes-student-visa-process-with-new-social-media-vetting]. - **Historical Context**: The Trump administration had previously suspended student visa processing in May 2025 amid rising tensions with universities over allegations of antisemitism, which has now led to these stricter vetting measures [https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/06/18/us-will-resume-suspended-foreign-student-visas-begin-vetting-students-social-media]. ### Conclusion: Implications of the New Visa Policy In summary, the U.S. has resumed processing student visas with a new requirement for applicants to unlock their social media accounts for government review. This policy aims to enhance national security by identifying potential threats based on online behavior. 1. **Resumption of Visa Processing**: The U.S. is now accepting student visa applications again after a temporary halt. 2. **New Social Media Requirement**: Applicants must make their social media profiles public for scrutiny. 3. **Focus on National Security**: The policy is designed to identify individuals who may pose a threat to the U.S. 4. **Potential Impact on Applicants**: Concerns over privacy and the risk of visa denial may deter some applicants. This comprehensive overview highlights the significant changes in the U.S. student visa application process and the implications for international students seeking education in the United States [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/18/social-media-student-visa-screening].