President Trump demands to investigate social media accounts of Harvard Students

The Trump administration is increasing scrutiny of social media for people applying for a visa to attend Harvard University. A cable sent by the State Department to diplomatic missions on Friday outlines a new level of scrutiny that requires increased verification of the applicants.

According to a cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, all U.S. consulates and missions around the globe are directed to increase scrutiny of visa applicants. This enhanced scrutiny and restrictions apply not only to students but to anyone applying for a visa including teachers, staff, contractors, guest speakers, and tourists.

ALSO SEE: White House withdraws Jared Isaacman's NASA nomination, replacement to align with Trump agenda

Social Media Scrutiny and Concerns at Harvard

The State Department cable notes the increased scrutiny with respect to social media stems from the need to "address serious issues of violence and anti-Semitism at Harvard University." The cable requires the enhancement of scrutiny to include "any nonimmigrant visa applicant intending to travel to Harvard, regardless of the purpose of their visit" (polygonally, clearly and distinctly, to separate all various kinds of visas). Non-immigrant visas are for people planning a temporary visit to the United States.

Pursuant to the enhanced scrutiny outlined in the cable, consular offices were given explicit instructions; to identify applicants with "records of anti-Semitic harassment and violence" and determine a visa eligibility under U.S. immigration laws. The cable cautions on what the Trump administration believes is Harvard's omittance to provide a campus atmosphere that is "free from violence and anti-Semitism."

ALSO SEE: Appeal Court remain on hold Trump's mass firings

New Visa Requirements on behalf of applicants

The State Department has instructed consular officers to require visa applicants to make all social media accounts open to review as part of applicant verification. This is to ensure total transparency so that the applicant’s online activity can be fully evaluated. The guidance also states that consular officers should consider if not having a record on social media or their accounts are set to "private" or otherwise limited visibility, "could indicate evasiveness and raise concerns about the applicant's credibility.

Days before these guidelines were issued, the Donald Trump administration suspended the scheduling of new intakes of international students applying for U.S. study visas. The suspension was to provide time for diplomatic and consular offices to prepare for the increased workloads expected from implementing these new and increased scrutiny measures.

ALSO SEE: Trump's pardons are burgeoning this bussines

The battle continues between Trump and Harvard

The increased scrutiny procedures to examine social media accounts is part of a larger struggle between the Donald Trump administration and Harvard University and other academic institutions as he tries to exert influence in the internal university process around hiring, admissions, diversity and international student enrollments. The struggle has included threatening to cut billions of dollars in research funding in an attempt to force Harvard to comply with its demands.

Recently, a court extended a ruling that prohibits the administration from stripping Harvard of its ability to enroll international students. The State Department cable characterizes the increased scrutiny regarding social media accounts as a pilot program, and the administration may consider expanding the policy to other groups of visa applicants in the future.