U.S. State Department Imposes Mandatory Social Media Screening for Visa Applicants
The new regulations aim to prevent the entry of individuals who may pose a potential threat to national security or American values, according to U.S. State Department officials in Washington
April 2, 2025, 6:09 pm

U.S. State Department Imposes Mandatory Social Media Screening for Visa Applicants

العلم الأمريكي

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued strict instructions to American embassies worldwide, mandating scrutiny of social media accounts for visa applicants, particularly students.

According to The New York Times, U.S. officials confirmed that the move is intended to block individuals who criticize U.S. or Israeli policies.

The directives were sent in a detailed diplomatic cable to U.S. missions on March 25, just weeks after President Donald Trump signed executive orders launching a mass deportation campaign targeting foreigners who may hold "hostile views" toward "American values or institutions."

Trump also announced a crackdown on "anti-Semitism," including the deportation of students involved in university protests against Israel’s war on Gaza.

Rubio’s cable stipulated that "certain student visa applicants and others must be referred to the Fraud Prevention Unit for mandatory screening of their social media records."

The Fraud Prevention Unit in U.S. embassies and consulates reviews visa applications, with the cable outlining general criteria for rejection. It cited Rubio’s remarks in a March 16 interview with CBS News, where he stated:
"We don’t want people in our country who commit crimes or threaten our national security."
He added:
"It’s that simple, especially for those entering as guests. That’s the essence of the visa system."

The cable also identified specific categories for scrutiny, including:

Individuals suspected of ties to terrorism.

Holders of student or exchange visas between October 7, 2023, and August 31, 2024.

Those whose visas expired during that period.

The specified dates indicate that one of the main targets of the screening is students who expressed solidarity with Palestinians during the recent war.

Additionally, the cable noted that "visas may be denied to those displaying hostility toward Americans or their culture, including criticism of the government or its institutions."

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”