New US directive targets foreigners visiting Harvard with stricter social media checks
In a significant tightening of visa scrutiny, the United States has announced that foreigners visiting Harvard University — including students, faculty, and tourists — may be denied entry if they lack a public social media presence. The move, spearheaded by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is being framed as a national security measure, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
Applicants with private or no social media may be flagged for evasiveness or inconsistent behavior.
Rubio, addressing the media on Friday, said that all prospective visitors to Harvard will now face enhanced social media vetting. The policy applies to students, employees, guest speakers, and tourists seeking temporary visas to enter the US for Harvard-related engagements. “Everyone is vetted,” Rubio asserted, calling it a “national security action.”
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According to The New York Post, consular officers have been instructed to examine applicants’ social media presence closely
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Profiles that are private, sparse, or entirely absent may raise red flags, suggesting “evasive behavior” or potential intent inconsistent with their visa type
Applicants’ own privacy settings may be scrutinized as a measure of intent. The directive reportedly also asks consular officers to make their own social media accounts public during the vetting process to cross-check content. Rubio said that having no social media at all could be used against the applicant, further complicating the visa process for those prioritizing digital privacy.
The policy comes amid heightened tensions between the US government and certain Ivy League institutions, with Harvard reportedly under closer watch. The implications of this policy could extend beyond Harvard, potentially affecting how visa applications are handled for visitors to other high-profile academic institutions.
