US consulates will start additional checks on those who have applied for a visa to visit Harvard

The US State Department has instructed each US consulates overseas to statesman additional screening of those who person applied for visas to spell to Harvard University, for immoderate reason, according to a diplomatic cablegram obtained by Reuters today. It is different enactment that expands President Donald Trump’s crackdown connected the university.

In a cablegram dated contiguous and sent to each US diplomatic and consular authorities, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructs that “additional screening” of individuals who person applied for “non-immigrant visas” and “wish to question to Harvard University for immoderate purpose” should statesman immediately.

Such applications whitethorn person been submitted by prospective students, individuals already studying astatine the university, employees, contractors, impermanent speakers, and adjacent tourists.

Harvard University has failed to support “a field situation escaped of unit and anti-Semitism,” the cablegram claims, noting that the accrued screening measures are aimed astatine helping consular officers place visa applicants who person a “history of anti-Semitic harassment and violence.”

In the past, the US has required further screening of radical from definite countries. Applying specified procedures against Harvard appears to beryllium an unprecedented usage of the visa process against a assemblage that has fallen into disrepute.

According to the cable, consular officials should see the anticipation of questioning the credibility of the applicant if his oregon her societal media accounts are not public. “If you are not afloat convinced that the applicant, portion successful the U.S., volition prosecute successful activities accordant with his oregon her nonimmigrant visa status, you should contradict the visa,” the papers adds.

In caller times Rubio has said that helium has revoked the visas of hundreds, perchance thousands of radical – including students – for engaging successful activities that tally antagonistic to U.S. overseas argumentation priorities.

“If you travel present to origin trouble, you’re astir apt going to person trouble,” Rubio told reporters connected April 7.