Indian students are rushing frantically to delete social media posts in a desperate bid to escape the Trump administration’s crackdown on international students, after it announced a new process that includes social media profile screening. An internal cable from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the social media posts of visa applicants will be scrutinised before allowing them entry. The move came amid a broader crackdown on international students after pro-Palestinian protests engulfed US university campuses last year. This move has sparked alarm among Indian students applying for US colleges and sent them into a frenzy to delete their social media posts that the Trump administration may see and deem sufficient enough to deny them entry into the country. ALSO READ: Why Trump Government Has Paused New Student Visa Interviews, What Is Social Media Vetting? Explained How Social Media Vetting Has Affected Students? Amid Trump’s strict social media checks for visa applicants, a growing number of Indian students are not only deleting their posts but removing their accounts altogether to avoid circumstances that derail their plans to study in the US. A student named Manya (name changed), who was selected for a master’s programme at an Ivy League university, has deleted her Instagram and LinkedIn profiles after her visa counsellor warned her that her political posts may pose a threat to her application, according to a report by India Today. Another student, Diljeet (name changed), turned his social media handles to private settings. They are among the students who are concerned that their political views, humour or activism may be misinterpreted by US authorities, which would eventually result in the rejection of their visas. Even the smallest hint of political activism may lead to the rejection of a US visa, says Mamta Shekhawat, founder of Gradding.com. “Immigration authorities require student visa applicants to provide their social media handles for the previous five years, allowing them to make character evaluations and determine whether and how the applicant’s professional and academic background matches the visa objectives,” she said. Will This Protect Students? However, visa counsellors have warned that such a drastic step, such as the sudden deletion of content or social media handles, could raise suspicion that can lead to suspicion among US vetting authorities. They have also warned that even liking or sharing content could be considered illegal. Shekhawat asserted the importance of responsible online behaviour, saying students need to be careful about what they delete, as this pattern might become evident during the vetting process. Pro-Palestinian views or perceived anti-American sentiments could invite extra scrutiny on the applicants. A PhD student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) began erasing his social media presence, after a US university paused his post-doctoral appointment, as per reports. However, he remains unsure about whether it would be enough to get the visa. What Is Social Media Vetting? The US State Department’s directive indicates a plan to issue updated guidance on social media vetting for all student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants to scrutinize applicants’ online activity and thereby assess their eligibility for entry. “Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued … in the coming days,” a Tuesday diplomatic cable reportedly said, as reported by Politico. Officials will review social media profiles for content that could deem them inadmissible, and posts – like the ones on terrorism and antisemitism – could trigger intensified scrutiny.