State Department resumes student visa interviews, implements social media evaluations

The State Department announced Wednesday that it would resume issuing student visas for people from foreign countries — but applicants now must unlock social media accounts for government review.

The new requirement flags any posts or messages deemed "hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles," according to the Associated Press. Student visa interviews — which were paused by the federal government in May — will resume as international students prepare to enter the country.

Any applicants who refuse to comply with evaluation of their online activity may be rejected from the process.

Executive Director of Penn's International Student and Scholar Services Rodolfo Altamirano wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian that ISSS is "encouraged" by the State Department's decision. 

"In recent weeks, we’ve heard from many concerned students abroad, and we hope this development will ease their worries and allow them to obtain their visas in time for the start of the academic year," Altamirano added.

The State Department has also notified consulates to prioritize visa applications of students who are either foreign-born physicians participating in a U.S. medical program or who plan to enroll at colleges where international students make up less than 15% of the student body.

Penn is one of almost 200 U.S. universities, including the entire Ivy League, where foreign students comprise more than 15% of the total student body. Last fall, approximately 23.7% of all students at Penn were international.

1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump previously noted his interest in instituting a 15% cap on international students at Harvard, according to Forbes. It remains unclear whether the limit would be extended to other universities, such as Penn.

The State Department notice to resume visa processings occurs amid a travel ban enacted this month that restricts entry for individuals from 12 countries. The Trump administration has additionally notified another 36 countries to improve their vetting of international travelers within 60 days or face a travel ban to the United States. 

While Trump’s travel ban does not affect international students currently enrolled at U.S. institutions, it bans the issuing of new student visas from these countries, which may impact newly enrolled international students who are applying for visas for American universities.

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