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, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.