The Trump administration has ordered US consulates worldwide to conduct mandatory social media screening of every visa applicant seeking to travel to Harvard University, with officials instructed to view private accounts as potential signs of “evasiveness”.
A state department cable signed by the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and dated Friday, obtained by the Guardian, requires immediate enhanced vetting of all Harvard-bound students, faculty, staff, speakers and other visitors as part of what officials describe as a pilot program that could expand to other universities. The policy takes effect immediately at all US embassies and consulates.
