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The guidance took effect on April 9, 2025.

It applies to individuals who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents including foreign nationals holding nonimmigrant (temporary) visa status such as but not limited to international students and scholars.

An immigration benefit is any benefit that derives from an application that one files with the USCIS. Examples include an application for an employment authorization document (work permit) to engage in Optional Practical Training and an application to change one’s nonimmigrant status from Exchange Visitor (J-1) to H-1B status.

According to , they will “consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity.” 

According to , the USCIS will consider any such social media content “as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefit requests.”

USCIS is not the government agency that issues visa stamps. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) is the government agency that approves or denies visa applications at U.S. consulates and embassies outside of the United States.

Earlier this month, the DOS released an internal cable stating that “consular officers must refer certain student and exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa applicants to the Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) for a mandatory social media check…” The internal cable has not been released to the public.

The DOS cable states that all new or returning F-1 or J-1 student visa applications meeting one of the following criteria must have a mandatory social media check done before visa issuance:

• The consular officer has “reason to believe” that the applicant “has openly advocated for a ;”
• The applicant was previously in the United States in F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa status between Oct. 7, 2023, and Aug. 31, 2024; or
• The applicant has a previous SEVIS record that was terminated between Oct. 7, 2023, and the present.

Most like yes. The consular officers will likely require mandatory social media checks for some visa applicants, and that will slow down the visa issuance process since the DOS cannot issue the visa until the check is completed. For students planning on applying for a visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy during summer break, plan on applying early in the summer and expect delays.

Perhaps. The cable directs consular officers to review valid visas in accordance with this guidance and determine if there is a basis to request that the DOS revoke the visa. The cable states that not only a finding of support for terrorist activity or a terrorist organization but also one that the visa holder “bears a hostile attitude toward U.S. citizens or U.S. culture including government, institutions, or founding principles” may be considered.

DOS is supposed to send an email message to the email address that the individual used when they applied for the visa, so one should check that email account (including the junk folder) regularly for any emails from the DOS.