INDIA NEWS: Indian students aspiring for higher education in the United States are facing new challenges. After F-1 visa interviews, many students are finding their CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center) status marked as “Refused.” This is triggering significant anxiety among students. What’s even more worrying is that visa officers are retaining the students’ passports without issuing any 221(g) slip or giving a clear refusal. To make matters worse, the response “We need to screen your social media” is leaving students even more bewildered.
Incident at Mumbai Consulate
An incident on July 1 at the Mumbai Consulate reflects this situation. A student who attended the interview revealed that his CEAC status changed to “Refused” immediately after the interview. When he questioned the officer about this, he was told, “We need to screen your social media.” However, no details were given about how long this process would take or what information might be required. Although this doesn’t technically constitute a visa denial, the presence of the word “Refused” in the CEAC record is causing intense anxiety among students regarding their future.
Not an Isolated Case
This student is not the only one experiencing this situation. Many students are facing similar circumstances where their CEAC status shows “Refused” after the interview, while their passports remain with the consular officers. According to visa experts, this is happening as part of “Administrative Processing.” However, as many students lack prior awareness about this process, confusion and panic are spreading rapidly.
Social Media Screening — A Legacy of Trump-Era Regulations?
This new development appears to stem from social media scrutiny policies introduced during the Trump administration. In the past, F-1 visas were typically cleared within a few days after the interview. But now, social media screening is causing visa applications to remain pending for extended periods.
The Big Question — What Triggers Concern?
At present, students are anxiously reviewing their social media profiles, drowning in speculation. Is it because an Instagram profile is set to public? Could a meme shared in the past cause trouble? Did a comment posted publicly jeopardize the chances of securing a visa? Students are plagued by such questions, fearing that even a seemingly harmless post could hurt their visa prospects.
Lack of Clarity Fueling Fear
All these circumstances combined are causing severe anxiety among Indian students who have chosen the United States for higher education. This change in the U.S. visa process once again demonstrates how significantly such developments can impact students’ lives. Although a “Refused” visa status might be only temporary, the uncertainty surrounding the process is instilling deep fear about the future. It is crucial for the U.S. State Department to provide clarity on this process and offer prior awareness to students.