Rubio Orders U.S. Diplomats to Screen Student Visa Applicants for Anti-Israel Posts

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed American diplomats to closely scrutinize the social media activity of certain student and exchange visa applicants, a move that appears to target individuals suspected of criticizing the United States and Israel, The New York Times reports.

According to two American officials familiar with the directive, Rubio’s order mandates that consular officers refer selected applicants to the fraud prevention unit for a mandatory social media review. According to The New York Times, the directive, outlined in a cable sent to U.S. diplomatic missions on March 25, comes amid President Donald Trump’s broader immigration policies, including efforts to deport foreign students involved in campus protests against Israel’s war in Gaza.

This policy shift follows Trump’s executive orders aimed at deporting foreign nationals who exhibit what he described as “hostile attitudes” toward American values and institutions.

The fraud prevention unit, housed within embassies and consular offices, is tasked with assessing visa applicants and flagging potential security risks. The directive does not specify what criteria will be used to determine disqualifying social media activity.