The order comes amid President Trump's expanding deportation efforts, including of students who demonstrated in support of Palestinians during Israel's war on Gaza.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered diplomats abroad to scrutinize the social media content of some applicants for student and other types of visas in an effort to bar entry to those suspected of criticizing the United States and Israel, U.S. officials say.
Mr. Rubio outlined the instructions in a lengthy telegram sent to diplomatic missions on March 25.
The move comes nine weeks after President Trump signed executive orders to begin a campaign to deport certain foreign nationals, including those who may have “hostility” to American “citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.”
Mr Trump also issued an order to crack down on what he called anti-Semitism, including deporting foreign students who took part in student protests against Israel's war in Gaza.
Mr. Rubio's directive says that, starting now, consular officers should refer certain student and exchange visa applicants to the “fraud prevention unit” for “mandatory social media screening,” according to two U.S. officials familiar with the message.
The Fraud Prevention Unit of the consular section of the embassy or consulate that issues visas helps screen applicants.
The cable outlines the broad parameters diplomats must use to decide whether to deny a visa. It cites remarks Mr. Rubio made in a CBS News interview on March 16: “We don’t want people in our country who are going to commit crimes and undermine our national security or public safety,” he said. “It’s that simple, especially people who are here as guests. That’s what a visa is.”
