Foreign Harvard applicants now under social media microscope

In addition to imposing visa restrictions, the administration has withdrawn $2.6 billion in federal research funding from Harvard, with President Trump also signalling plans to revoke the university’s longstanding tax-exempt status

In a significant escalation of tensions between the US government and Harvard University, the State Department has initiated a new policy requiring consular officers to scrutinize the social media activity of visa applicants intending to visit, work at, or study at the Ivy League institution. The move, effective immediately, is aimed at identifying signs of antisemitic or violent behaviour online.

A confidential diplomatic cable dated May 30 and signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlines the directive, which will initially serve as a pilot program at all US embassies and consulates. The policy follows mounting criticism from the Trump administration, which has accused Harvard of fostering an environment permissive of antisemitism.

The measure marks the latest flashpoint in an ongoing standoff between federal authorities and the university. Recently, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the federal government after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, temporarily halting its ability to host international students. A federal judge has since paused the revocation.

Currently, over 25% of Harvard’s student population at its Cambridge campus consists of international students hailing from more than 100 countries, with the majority enrolled in graduate programs.

Tightening controls on elite universities

The visa screening expansion is part of a broader strategy by the administration to impose stricter oversight on elite educational institutions, which it alleges have become centers of political radicalism. Earlier, the government froze new visa interviews for foreign students, citing a need to bolster social media monitoring protocols.

In addition to the visa restrictions, the administration has rescinded $2.6 billion in federal research funding previously allocated to Harvard, pushing the university to rely on internal resources. President Trump has also voiced intentions to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status.

The new cable instructs consular officers to flag visa applicants lacking a visible online presence or whose social accounts are private, suggesting such behavior may indicate an intent to obscure information. Officers are also directed to reject applications that fail to meet credibility standards based on social media and broader online assessments.

The social media vetting policy, originally implemented during Trump’s earlier presidency, was continued under President Biden and is now being expanded under the current administration.