WASHINGTON — The State Division has begun stepped-up vetting of all foreigners searching for visas to go to Harvard College amid the Trump administration’s ongoing authorized conflict with the Ivy League faculty.
US embassies and consulates had been instructed in a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “immediately begin additional vetting” on Harvard-associated visas “for any purpose,” CNN and Reuters reported.
State Division spokeswoman Tammy Bruce confirmed in a Thursday press briefing that an earlier cable asserting the transfer contained “details that are accurate.”
“Of course, everyone is vetted,” she instructed reporters. “This is an overarching national security action, and we are acting quickly. Obviously, we’re a nation that loves people coming here the legal way, and we want to help facilitate that but not at our own risk.”
The Friday cable was quoted as stating: “Such applicants include, but are not limited to prospective students, students, faculty, employees, contractors, guest speakers, and tourists.”
Consular officers had been additionally directed to look over candidates’ social media presence and be aware of these with “private” profiles or whose “lack of any online presence” might “be reflective of evasiveness” — or “activities inconsistent” with the short-term authorized standing they’re searching for.
“Those who support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, threaten our national security,” Rubio mentioned in March when the State Division revoked its first international pupil visa. “The United States has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists.”
That visa belonged to Columbia College Apartheid Divest chief Mahmoud Khalil, who additionally occurred to be married to a US citizen and a green-card holder, organising a protracted authorized battle with the Trump administration.
Each the visa and inexperienced card had been rescinded, however Khalil’s case has grow to be a rallying level for critics of the Republican admin.
The ex-Columbia grad pupil is at present being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a Louisiana facility as he lobbies for asylum earlier than a federal immigration choose.
Rubio had despatched a cable Tuesday ordering a pause on international pupil visa handouts and indicated new candidates’ social networking accounts must be put below overview.
As of Thursday, a senior State Division official instructed The Submit, that overview was to increase past the F-1 visas for worldwide college students to these touring to Harvard on enterprise (B-1) or as vacationers (B-2).
Rubio has additionally moved to revoke visas for international authorities officers or people searching for to censor People — and he’s put all Chinese language college students submitting functions on discover.
“The United States is putting America first by beginning to revoke visas of Chinese students as warranted, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party,” Bruce mentioned Thursday, “or studying in critical fields, and enhancing scrutiny of visas for all Chinese nationals, including Hong Kong passport holders.”
The Division of Homeland Safety final week tried to revoke certification for practically 7,000 worldwide college students primarily based on the “pro-terrorist conduct” allowed at Harvard campus demonstrations opposing Israel’s conflict in Gaza.
Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem additionally known as consideration to regarding analysis collaborations with establishments investigated by Congress for his or her ties to the Chinese language navy.
A federal choose in Boston blocked DHS on Thursday from shifting ahead with the revocation, allowing the Pupil and Change Customer Program (SEVP) for the Ivy League Establishment — which enrolls greater than one-quarter of its pupil inhabitants — to proceed for now.
Noem had additionally beforehand sought prison information for all college students admitted below SEVP, however mentioned Harvard directors had refused to conform.
Reps for the college have declared DHS’ actions “unlawful.”
The State Division declined to touch upon Friday’s cable.
