Amid growing concerns over the U.S. government's enhanced visa screening measures, many Indian students are deleting social media posts — or entire accounts — out of fear they could jeopardize their chances of securing a U.S. student visa.
The anxiety stems from a policy introduced under the Trump administration requiring visa applicants to submit their social media handles from the past five years.
Platforms like Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok are subject to vetting by immigration authorities, who use the data to assess applicants’ character, political leanings, and alignment with visa objectives.
The crackdown has intensified in the wake of recent pro-Palestine and anti-Semitic protests on U.S. campuses following Israel’s October 7, 2023, response to Hamas attacks. As a result, students are being advised to avoid political commentary online.
"Even humorous or casual posts can be misinterpreted. Immigration officers are trained to look for red flags, including political activism or controversial opinions," said Mamta Shekhawat, founder of Gradding.com.
She also warned that sudden deletion of content could itself appear suspicious.
Education consultant Meenal Damani echoed similar caution: “Don’t like, share, or comment on anything that could be seen as supporting violence or controversial causes. Even passive engagement can be seen as endorsement.”
Some students, like Suraj (name changed), have taken extreme steps. “I deleted my LinkedIn as soon as I applied for a student visa,” said Suraj, who is headed to an Ivy League university. “I stopped attending protests. Even one photo online can get your visa denied.”
Another PhD student at Jawaharlal Nehru University deleted his social media accounts after a U.S. university paused his post-doctoral offer. His posts had included pro-Palestine views, Gaza death tolls, and criticism of right-wing politics.
With the U.S. now using AI to flag foreign nationals perceived as security threats, students are walking a fine line between online expression and visa risks — carefully curating their digital footprints to avoid jeopardizing their academic future.
