NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Indian students planning to study in the United States are increasingly scrubbing their social media profiles amid heightened fears that political content could jeopardize their visa applications. With the U.S. government tightening social media vetting for international students, especially under policies shaped during the Trump administration, students are deleting posts, changing privacy settings, and in some cases, erasing entire accounts.
A growing number of students believe their digital presence could be misinterpreted during the visa process. Posts related to political activism, global conflicts, or controversial humor have raised red flags in recent months, prompting many to preemptively erase their digital footprints.
According to a report by India Today Digital, Manya (name changed), who secured admission to an Ivy League master’s program, deleted both her Instagram and LinkedIn accounts after her visa counselor warned her about the potential risk of her political posts. Similarly, another student, Diljeet (also a pseudonym), set all his accounts to private.
The heightened concern stems from a planned U.S. policy mandating social media vetting for all student visa applicants. This includes five years’ worth of online activity across platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and LinkedIn. Students worry that even liking or sharing a post perceived as controversial, especially those supporting pro-Palestinian causes or criticizing U.S. policy, might be enough to trigger a visa denial.
A PhD scholar from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) began deleting his posts, including Gaza casualty figures and an article about global authoritarianism, after his post-doctoral appointment at a U.S. university was paused. The Print reported that while he removed most of his posts and apps, he remains uncertain if it will be enough.
Education consultants say such anxiety isn’t unfounded. Mamta Shekhawat, founder of Gradding.com, told India Today Digital that even casual humor or activist content could be seen as suspicious. “Even the smallest hint of political or violent activism can lead to visa rejection,” she said, adding that immigration authorities use social media to evaluate an applicant’s character and alignment with their stated academic goals.
Yet, experts caution that deleting posts or accounts abruptly could also raise red flags. “Sudden patches of deletion might appear suspicious during AI-driven screenings,” Shekhawat noted. Students are advised to maintain a responsible, balanced digital presence instead.
The concern isn’t limited to activism. Meenal Damani, another education consultant, emphasized that even liking or commenting on posts related to illegal activities under U.S. law could backfire. “Refrain from joining or engaging with political movements online,” she said, advising students to avoid all forms of digital endorsement.
Sanjog Anand, co-founder of Rostrum Education, echoed that what constitutes “objectionable” content remains vague. “From political views to controversial jokes or criticism of U.S. policy, anything could be interpreted negatively,” he said.
The situation intensified following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza, which led to widespread pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. campuses. The U.S. government, under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has reportedly implemented AI-driven surveillance programs targeting foreign students suspected of supporting designated terrorist groups, Axios reported in April.
Students like Suraj (name changed), who were previously vocal about world politics on LinkedIn, have opted to delete their accounts altogether. “My visa counselor said this could put me in trouble, so I decided to delete it,” he said. He also stopped attending protests and erased all traces of his activism.
Education experts recommend a more strategic approach. “Students should project academic ambitions and global engagement through mindful posts,” said Shekhawat. “Achievements and community involvement should be visible, but extreme caution is needed around political commentary.”
As U.S. scrutiny of international applicants grows more intense, Indian students are learning the hard way that their social media can make or break their academic dreams abroad. And while digital discretion may not guarantee success, in today’s climate, many see it as a necessary step.
