Rubio orders social media checks for visa applicants critical of Israel

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reportedly ordered diplomats working overseas to scour the social media accounts of visa applicants suspected of critiquing the US and Israel.

Two American officials told The New York Times that the secretary sent out a long cable with instructions on 25 March, ordering consular officers to refer certain student and exchange visitor visa applicants to the “fraud prevention unit” for a “mandatory social media check”.

The details of the cable were initially reported by The Handbasket, which was shared with the publication.

The 1,700 word cable sets out the broad parameters the diplomats should follow to judge whether to issue or deny a visa, citing an interview Rubio did with CBS, where he said the US does not want people in the country “that are going to be committing crimes and undermining our national security or the public safety”.