The Trump administration has now released its most inflammatory directive yet. It mandates that US consulates around the world review the social media of every visa applicant who dares to travel to Harvard University. This drastic step comes as a response to ongoing allegations of the institution’s inability to adequately address antisemitism on its campus.
The cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, directs all branches of the state department to fully implement the WHINSEC provision. It outlines the urgent need for better vetting of students, faculty, staff, speakers and other visitors affiliated with Harvard. The change in policy is now being implemented at all US embassies and consulates for students hoping to gain entry to the university.
This move raises the bar from our already damaging, discriminatory screening practices. It narrowly focuses on students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Harvard. Yesterday, Rubio told the waiting senators that the department had cancelled the visas. He announced that this move in all likelihood impacted “probably in the thousands at this point” of people related to the university.
Since March, the state department has additionally required social media screenings for incoming students returning to Harvard. One of the most disconcerting has been the fact that officials have started taking screenshots of anything they consider “potentially derogatory” for permanent records.
“Harvard University failed to maintain a campus environment free from violence and antisemitism,” according to the cable citing the Department of Homeland Security. Furthermore, the cable highlights “histories of antisemitic harassment and violence,” contributing to the administration’s decision.
The possible effects of this policy go far beyond Harvard University. The United States welcomes more than 1 million international students. In return, these operations generate an estimated $43.8 billion to the economy and sustain over 378,000 jobs. Nafsa noted that international students are making record-breaking contributions to the country, supporting jobs across a wide variety of sectors.
[E]lected leaders today are rolling out a pilot program that has the potential to bloom out to other campuses across the country. This directive is an important piece of that initiative. The Guardian was first to cover the new cable, which calls for increased scrutiny for visa applicants tied to Harvard University.
President Trump previously condemned what he referred to as an “unprecedented wave of vile antisemitic discrimination, vandalism and violence,” underscoring the administration’s motivation for implementing these stringent measures.