Latest news with #LorenLocke
Condé Nast Traveler
7 days ago
- Politics
- Condé Nast Traveler
US Student Visas Now Require Enhanced Social Media Screening—Here's What to Know
International students hoping to study in the United States are facing a new and unprecedented level of scrutiny: Their online presence is now subject to review by consular officers as part of a sweeping overhaul of the US student visa screening process. As of June 18, 2025, the US State Department has implemented new rules requiring applicants for student (F and M) and exchange visitor (J) visas to submit their social media handles and make their profiles public during the visa review process. Consular officers have been directed to conduct in-depth reviews of applicants' online presence (particularly for individuals from countries deemed high risk by the state department), to identify applicants who the administration deems as inadmissible to the US. 'Students need to understand that their digital footprint could become part of their permanent US immigration record,' says Loren Locke, an immigration attorney at Locke Immigration Law, who previously adjudicated thousands of visa applications as a State Department consular officer. 'This means years of posts, comments, and friendships could be scrutinized.' Perhaps the most dramatic development is what's happening at Harvard. As of late May, anyone seeking a US visa for any purpose tied to Harvard—students, staff, researchers, or even tourists attending campus events—are being flagged for 'enhanced vetting.' The move, framed by the State Department as a national security measure, is part of a pilot program that could expand to other institutions. And on July 23, the State Department announced an investigation into Harvard's eligibility to sponsor international students and researchers. Without that authority, granted by the government, Harvard would not be able to enroll new international students or host researchers and visiting professors from abroad. Below, we break down everything you need know about applying for US student and exchange visas right now, according to immigration lawyers and experts. Who does this affect? The policy applies globally to all noncitizens applying for US student and exchange visas. Still, Harvard University became the first school to face enhanced scrutiny under a pilot program launched in late May. According to internal memos obtained by numerous media outlets, anyone applying for a visa connected to Harvard (which again includes students, scholars, visiting speakers, and campus event attendees) is now subject to a separate layer of national security review. The administration has justified the move by citing alleged failures by Harvard to curb antisemitism and threats to campus safety following pro-Palestinian protests. On July 23, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a formal investigation into Harvard's eligibility to sponsor international students and researchers, even as the university fights the policy in court. A federal judge previously granted Harvard a temporary restraining order to prevent visa denials based solely on political affiliation or social media content. Prepare for expanded screening and vetting The screening process extends far beyond consular officers casually scrolling through applicants' Instagram accounts. Under the new rules, applicants must now provide a complete list of their online identifiers (usernames or handles) across platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and others. Officers will also look for mentions of the applicants in news articles, published scholarly articles, or any other searchable content. According to a diplomatic cable sent by the State Department to embassies and consulates (and obtained by multiple outlets), consular officers are directed to comb applicants' online presence to look for 'any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.' It further instructs officers to look for any 'advocacy for, aid or support for foreign terrorists and other threats to US national security' and 'support for unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence,' while taking 'screenshots to preserve the record against possible later alteration or loss of the information.'
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Travelers to the US will soon be hit with another large fee... here's what to know
The United States is rolling out a new travel fee. It is not cheap. A provision in the recently-signed Big, Beautiful Bill Act will require thousands of individuals to pay a new 'visa integrity fee.' It's a $250 charge for anyone entering the US on a nonimmigrant visa, which includes tourists, business travelers, and international students. The fee applies only to approved visas. Travelers who later leave the US and can prove they didn't overstay their visa may be eligible for reimbursement, according to the law. For years, Republicans and Trump officials have argued that taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for immigration enforcement and visa processing. Supporters say this new fee shifts that cost to travelers — and creates an incentive to follow the rules. But immigration lawyers are pushing back, warning that the federal government hasn't explained when the fee will take effect or how travelers will get their money back. They also worry the process will require burdensome paperwork and red tape. 'This fee is supposed to be reimbursable after the expiration of the visa, provided the visa holder can document full compliance,' Loren Locke, a Georgia-based immigration lawyer, told 'Many B1/B2 visitor visas are valid for a full decade. That is a long time to compile and save records, and a long time to wait to get your money back.' Meanwhile, visa holders can likely expect costs to rise. The law sets a minimum fee of $250 for the 2025 fiscal year, but allows the Department of Homeland Security to raise the amount — and requires it to adjust for inflation. The increasing cost could have a terrible economic impact, according to Locke. 'Additional fees can deter legitimate travelers while doing little to address actual visa violations,' she said. 'But the new fee does send a clear message to would-be vacationers: the US government sees you as a potential threat, not as a valued guest.' The fee comes down as international travel to America keeps slowing. And for American vacationers, that's making it pricier to move around. President Trump signed the bill into law on July 4 Experts worry the law will have unintended impacts on airline companies that are already slashing domestic flight capacity Leading the way in US travel boycotts is the neighbor to the north: Canada. The long-time ally has sparred with the Trump Administration over tariffs, US threats of a takeover, and immigration policy. Canadians, who have long been the top international travelers to the US, are instead withholding much of the $20.5 billion they typically spend traveling to the US. Now, if the visa fee is fully launched, it will likely become even more cost prohibitive for Canadians to come into the US. International Airlines, like Air Canada, have already cancelled dozens of US-based trips because of slumping demand. Meanwhile, multiple US-based airliners are shutting off the valve of US domestic flights because of cost pressures at home.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Walmart Workers Vanish Overnight and Employees Sound the Alarm
Walmart employees are sounding the alarm as sudden staffing cuts sweep through stores nationwide, reportedly driven by changes to immigration work authorizations and legal uncertainty. Multiple staffers have taken to social media to share that coworkers have disappeared from schedules overnight—sometimes in double-digit numbers, the Daily Mail reported. One Reddit user claimed their location lost 10 employees with work visas. Another reported 40 departures at a 400-person store, forcing older workers and managers to stretch themselves thin just to keep shelves stocked. 'Most of our older floor associates are constantly asking for help,' one employee wrote. 'It's not really ideal.' The staffing drop comes as Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., moves to comply with a Supreme Court ruling that abruptly ended a temporary work program. The program had shielded over half a million migrants from deportation and granted legal work authorization until the court reversed course in late May. Retail law experts say the ruling left companies like Walmart in a bind. While the government hasn't provided clear lists of impacted workers, federal filings have stated that companies are responsible for removing unauthorized employees, even if their status was revoked suddenly. "Employers like Walmart have no choice but to stop employing workers who lack US work authorization," immigration attorney Loren Locke told Daily Mail. "But it is tricky to comply when they have a large number of current employees whose work permits are getting cancelled prematurely." Walmart has reportedly told managers in Florida and Texas to review HR files and reverify work eligibility for employees tied to the now-defunct identifying those workers isn't simple. The program falls under the same visa classification as others still in effect, making it difficult to isolate affected staff. The company has not publicly commented, but lawyers warn that this situation exposes the need for smarter employee tracking and support systems. 'We're not talking about people trying to bend the rules. These are employees who've done everything right,' said Los Angeles trial attorney Jamie E. Wright. No, these employees who followed every rule are finding themselves out of a job. As customers walk into understaffed stores and employees work overtime to cover the gaps, many are wondering what Walmart's next move will be and whether it will come fast Workers Vanish Overnight and Employees Sound the Alarm first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 1, 2025
