Story perspectives

State Dept Adds Visa Questions Targeting Abuse Survivors, Journalists, Minorities

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

The State Department added two questions to temporary visa interviews that could deny visas to domestic-abuse survivors, threatened journalists or persecuted religious minorities.
The directive says questions aim to stop applicants who misrepresent asylum intentions and cites Executive Order 14161 signed by President Donald Trump in January 2025.
Earlier directives expanded student-visa vetting with social-media checks to bar those deemed involved in terrorist activity, a measure seen as targeting pro-Palestine supporters.

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Story summary

The State Department added two questions to temporary visa interviews that could deny visas to domestic-abuse survivors, threatened journalists or persecuted religious minorities.
The directive says questions aim to stop applicants who misrepresent asylum intentions and cites Executive Order 14161 signed by President Donald Trump in January 2025.
Earlier directives expanded student-visa vetting with social-media checks to bar those deemed involved in terrorist activity, a measure seen as targeting pro-Palestine supporters.