Harvard Under the Microscope: New Visa Rules Stir Controversy

The United States government has rolled out a new set of rules. These rules target foreign visitors to Harvard University. The new rules require a thorough check of their social media accounts. This includes private accounts. The goal is to spot any signs of dishonesty. The new policy is part of a pilot program. It could spread to other universities. The program started right away at all US embassies and consulates. This move is unusual. It singles out one American school. The reason? Alleged issues with antisemitism on campus. Consular officers now have a new task. They must reject Harvard visa applications until a detailed check of the applicant's online presence is done. Officials see private social media accounts or a limited online presence as a red flag. They view it as a sign of potential dishonesty. The policy ties into broader concerns. There are worries about antisemitism at Harvard. The Department of Homeland Security has shared information on this. The goal is to spot applicants with a history of antisemitic behavior. This policy is part of a bigger plan. It builds on an executive order signed earlier. The order talked about a rise in antisemitic acts. These acts are linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The new measures go beyond existing checks. They target students who joined pro-Palestinian campus protests. The impact of these new rules is significant. They could slow down visa processing for students. This is a big deal. Over 1 million foreign students study in the US. They contribute billions to the economy. They also support hundreds of thousands of jobs. The new screening could cause delays. It could also make it harder for students to get visas. The Harvard directive is just one part of a larger fight. The Trump administration is clashing with elite universities. The government has cut research funding for Harvard. It has also been in legal battles with the school. The administration briefly stopped Harvard from enrolling international students. A federal judge later blocked this action. The new policy could change over time. The cable mentioned that the Harvard pilot could expand. Similar checks could be applied to other visa applicants. This could affect many students and visitors.