The updated rules will prohibit entry to individuals identified as having engaged in or supported the censorship of American citizens on social media through various content moderation practices that have emerged in Europe and other regions to address extremist speech.
A series of cables sent this week to all US diplomatic missions, as reported by The Associated Press, indicated that visa applications from businesspeople planning “substantial investments” in the United States should be prioritized, along with those wanting to attend “major sporting events that highlight American excellence.”
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This marks the latest initiative by President Donald Trump’s administration to tighten regulations on migrants and visitors entering the US. However, with significant sports events on the horizon in the United States, the administration is keen to ensure that fans can participate in these competitions.
The policies are receiving increased scrutiny as the World Cup draw approaches on Friday.
As part of a comprehensive effort to regulate the entry of foreigners into the U.S., the State Department has mandated that all visa applicants undergo an in-person interview and screening to assess potential national security risks.
This requirement has resulted in extended wait times at numerous embassies and consulates for interviews concerning “B1” and “B2” visas, even with an increase in consular staff.
Last month, Trump introduced a new initiative called “FIFA Pass,” designed for foreigners traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup, which will facilitate quicker visa interview appointments. Nevertheless, he still urged applicants to apply for their visas “promptly.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the administration has sent over 400 additional consular officers worldwide to meet the demand for World Cup visas, allowing travelers to secure a visa appointment within 60 days in approximately 80% of the world, as reflected in the cable.
The recent steps outlined in this week’s cable extend beyond the FIFA Pass initiative, aimed at expediting applications for those traveling to the United States for the Olympics and other major sports events.
Diplomatic posts “should ensure adequate appointment capacity to accommodate spectators and fans traveling for events related to the (World Cup) tournament,” stated one of the cables sent on Tuesday.
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“These applications should be prioritized over all other B1/B2 applications, except those linked to American re-industrialization.” Other categories receiving priority include foreign diplomats, government officials on official business, temporary agricultural workers, religious personnel, physicians and nurses, as well as students at academic institutions with less than 15% foreign enrollment.
“Posts should ensure that applicants from higher-ranked categories receive priority over those from lower-ranked categories, regardless of demand from lower-ranked applicants,” stated the cable.
“Posts may significantly limit the number of appointment slots available to lower-ranked groups to fulfill demand from higher-ranked groups.” New visa guidelines for highly skilled workers
A second cable, sent on December 3 to all embassies and consulates, outlined new criteria for evaluating H-1B visa applications, instructing diplomats to “be vigilant” for individuals who may have been or are “responsible for or complicit in the censorship of Americans” online and in other contexts.
These visas allow U.S. companies to recruit individuals with specialized skills that are scarce in the United States, with President Donald Trump proposing a $100,000 annual fee on such visas.
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The department indicated that evidence of involvement in censorship could result in visa denial. Such evidence includes “adopting global content moderation policies that conflict with freedom of expression, complying with global demands for content moderation or censorship from foreign entities, and granting access to private information of American citizens in relation to content moderation.” This information could be derived from an applicant’s resume, employment history, social media accounts and posts, and public statements or writings, as noted in the cable, which also mentioned that the State Department was developing tools to streamline these screenings.
It highlighted that all visa applicants are subject to these guidelines, but H-1B applicants should be scrutinized most closely “as many are employed or have been employed in the tech sector, including social media or financial services companies that are involved in the suppression of protected expression.” “You must thoroughly assess their employment histories to confirm no involvement in such activities,” the cable emphasized, adding that “if you discover evidence that an applicant was responsible for or complicit in censoring or attempting to censor protected expression in the United States, you should determine that the applicant is ineligible” for a visa.
