Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Tánaiste Simon Harris with the new US Ambassador to Ireland Ed Walsh during 4th of July celebrations at Deerfield Residence in Phoenix Park earlier this month. Alamy Stock Photo

Students shouldn't be 'deprived' of J1 visas for expressing their views, Tánaiste says

It comes after the US Embassy in Dublin said students seeking a J1 would now undergo “enhanced social media vetting”.

STUDENTS SHOULD NOT be “deprived” of a J1 visa for expressing their views on “horrific issues that are happening around the world”, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said. 

It comes after the US Embassy in Dublin announced last month that students applying for J1s will now undergo “enhanced social media vetting”

A US State Department official said consular officers will conduct a “comprehensive and thorough vetting of all student and exchange visitor applicants”.

All applicants are now required to list all of their social media profiles and set them to public to allow screening for anti-American content, with anyone failing to do this running the risk of having their application rejected. 

The changes also apply for other exchange visitor applicants in the F, M and J non-immigrant classifications.

The US embassy said it will use all available information in its visa screening to identify those who “are inadmissible” to the US, including those who pose a threat to national security.

It said it wanted to ensure those applying for admission into the US “do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests”, adding that a US visa “is a privilege, not a right”.

The national students’ union said the new measures represent a significant and disproportionate intrusion into personal lives and digital privacy, and that they raise serious concerns about freedom of expression and online surveillance.

Speaking to reporters today following a meeting with US ambassador to Ireland Ed Walsh, Simon Harris said the two men had “a really good conversation” about student visas.

“I think Ambassador Walsh knows the importance of the people-to-people connection between our two countries,” Harris said. 

‘Freedom of speech matters’

The Journal / YouTube

“I was making the point that we live in a country where young people have very, very strong views – as do I, by the way – on a lot of what’s going on in the world and they have every right to express those views.

“Freedom of speech matters and being able to freely express yourself – online, offline, through protest – is an important part of our democracy, and I know President Trump is somebody who, I’d imagine in his own country, would champion free speech.”

He added: “We very much want our young people to continue to be able to articulate their very strongly-held views on horrific issues that are happening around the world, but that shouldn’t deprive somebody from going on a J1.”

Harris said that while immigration policy and visas is a matter for the US, he said he and the ambassador agreed to keep in touch on the matter.

“Ireland and the US have been friends for hundreds of years. It’s important we keep those connections going, and I wouldn’t like to see anything that causes apprehension for a young person travelling to the United States – and I just made that point to Ambassador Walsh.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin previously said there should not be “any overzealous examinations of people’s records” when speaking about the matter.

“Obviously, authorities do monitor for potential criminal activity and that’s generally done by the police services,” he said.

“But I wouldn’t be in favour of any overbearing inquisitorial approach to young people or their social media for that matter in terms of traveling from here to the United States, or indeed to any other part of the world.”

Martin said J1 visas “work both ways”, adding: “It works very well for the United States in terms of a lot of workers in the hospitality sector.”

Roughly 5,000 Irish students avail of the J1 visa programme every summer. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
75 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Science of beer
    Favourite Science of beer
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:37 PM

    2FM has gone to shite on the Mornings. Seems to be the lowest common denominator for the morning crew, cringe worthy shite

    161
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute O-'Seán
    Favourite O-'Seán
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:42 PM

    @Science of beer: thats not just the case in the mornings

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinead Hanley
    Favourite Sinead Hanley
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:46 PM

    You are right Science. Its brutal.

    47
    See 10 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Murray
    Favourite Dave Murray
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:56 PM

    @Science of beer: Gone to shite all day.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deborah Behan
    Favourite Deborah Behan
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 7:06 PM

    2fm ignored their loyal listeners in the hope of becoming ‘trendy’. I’m delighted it’s tanking how long will they keep the idiot the sent 2fm from being a decent station to one that’s crap.

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John S
    Favourite John S
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 7:11 PM

    Newstalk is gone even worse. They need Ivan and Chris back. The new show is brutal altogether.

    127
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Tope
    Favourite Mick Tope
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 7:27 PM

    Totally agree

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tweety McTweeter
    Favourite Tweety McTweeter
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 7:28 PM

    I know he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but Gerry Ryan was by far their best broadcaster and 2FM hasn’t been the same since he died

    106
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute michael o brien
    Favourite michael o brien
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:50 PM

    If they don’t get garda Williams off the morning show they will end up with no listeners.Alan Quinlan seems like a nice enough guy but his voice would do your head in,

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tim Brennan
    Favourite Tim Brennan
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 10:01 PM

    Switched to Ian Dempsey Coleman and Williams are an unmitigated disaster

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick James Walsh
    Favourite Patrick James Walsh
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 11:55 PM

    @Tim Brennan: Mc Inerney and O`Donoghue is just as bad, painful to listen to.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute LogicalSarah
    Favourite LogicalSarah
    Report
    Oct 27th 2016, 4:53 AM

    Agree completely, Gerry Ryan’s death killed 2FM and they tried to replace him but to no avail, so going trendy and young was the last ditch attempt to save the station but that has failed fantastically.
    The Ryan style show was not irreplaceable and there are a few presenters out there that could step in to RTE 2FM to bring it back. I listen to Niall Boylan on 104FM and he’s the closest you will get to Gerry Ryan.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John S
    Favourite John S
    Report
    Oct 27th 2016, 9:52 AM

    @michael o brien: Yeah Shane Coleman is not too bad, Williams and Collette Fitzpatrick are brutal altogether.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dick dastardly
    Favourite dick dastardly
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:47 PM

    Joe playing the poor mouth with his listeners everyday while his a millionaire,tosspot

    150
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Fontaine
    Favourite Daniel Fontaine
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 7:30 PM

    Getting a lift from someone today had to listen to Liveline for half an hour.
    Joe Duffy’s faux sincerity made me want to vomit.
    Joe has 50 different levels of sighing.

    119
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Flanagan Margaret
    Favourite Flanagan Margaret
    Report
    Oct 27th 2016, 12:36 PM

    Ah. Go away. Joe is a ledge. No airs and graces. Just brill. See u Joe in Waterford on Friday Joe.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eye_c_u
    Favourite Eye_c_u
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:18 PM

    Call the whine line now.

    102
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eddie Simon
    Favourite Eddie Simon
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:44 PM

    Irish people enjoy whinging, it’s practically a national sport

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Poole Hyde
    Favourite Poole Hyde
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 7:15 PM

    Whinging is what keeps The Journal in business. I mean here we are whinging about a show about whinging.

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eddie Simon
    Favourite Eddie Simon
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:39 PM

    Great to see newstalk’s super PC revamp of Drivetime falling flat.

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute michael o brien
    Favourite michael o brien
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:52 PM

    Never liked George hook in the evening but now find myself enjoying his show midday,

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Poole Hyde
    Favourite Poole Hyde
    Report
    Oct 27th 2016, 12:31 AM

    Never liked Hook at anytime but still kinda miss him. I really enjoyed disagreeing with him.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen kavanagh
    Favourite stephen kavanagh
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:12 PM

    Tosser

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peadar Ó Gréacháin
    Favourite Peadar Ó Gréacháin
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:21 PM

    Plonker

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Poole Hyde
    Favourite Poole Hyde
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:28 PM

    Ah lads, that’s terrible.. terrible altogether … terrible.. ;-)

    92
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Murphey
    Favourite David Murphey
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:37 PM

    Peadar , why are you calling Stephen a plonker?

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Clark
    Favourite John Clark
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:23 PM

    90% of Rte’s listenership and viewers are Culchies……. There I’ve said it. Any reds on the way? I mean you know me I call a spade a spade.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Clark
    Favourite John Clark
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:38 PM

    C’mon ye can red me better than that!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mickmc
    Favourite mickmc
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:49 PM

    John you do realise that 3/4 of the Irish population are what you jackeens would call culchies.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Treacy
    Favourite Colin Treacy
    Report
    Oct 27th 2016, 3:20 AM

    Terrible’s too small a word for it…Lord forgive me for saying …but wouldn’t we be better turning the radio off..

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peadar Ó Gréacháin
    Favourite Peadar Ó Gréacháin
    Report
    Oct 27th 2016, 3:32 AM

    David, joooooooooe Dufffffffffy……………………..

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Byrne
    Favourite Brian Byrne
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:37 PM

    And TXFM is closing !!!! What a country we live in..

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute LogicalSarah
    Favourite LogicalSarah
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 7:04 PM

    Maybe that’s because nobody is listening to TxFm or whatever it’s called these days.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Byrne
    Favourite Brian Byrne
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 7:11 PM

    Ur right Sarah unfortunately ..

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matthew Balfe
    Favourite Matthew Balfe
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:57 PM

    Go ahead caller.. Ah jeeesssussss

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute michael o brien
    Favourite michael o brien
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:47 PM

    There is one thing worse than Joe Duffy and that is his stand in,Boucher Hayes.And the only thing worse than Darcy is HIS stand in,Kathryn Thomas,

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cryptoskitzo
    Favourite cryptoskitzo
    Report
    Oct 28th 2016, 2:59 AM

    @michael o brien: Best comment here.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john barnes
    Favourite john barnes
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:12 PM

    Seems to me that middle Ireland tuned their radio to RTÉ back when then got the electric in and haven’t touched the dial since, there are a huge amount of great shows on various stations but these people are ignorant to them

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Boogeyman
    Favourite The Boogeyman
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:21 PM

    Yeah Mid west radio here in Mayo is class, you’re missing out if you don’t have it

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmyjoe Wallace
    Favourite Jimmyjoe Wallace
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:47 PM

    The lack of decent competition doesn’t help. George Hook? Paul Williams? No wonder people are going back to rte

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute O-'Seán
    Favourite O-'Seán
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:41 PM

    Free.reign on Joe to misinform the public into demonizing the unemployed. Typical of the centre right tip

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bobby Fox
    Favourite Bobby Fox
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:04 PM

    @O-’Seán: I think Joe’s lifeline achieves the exact opposite of public service broadcasting : it’s not entertaining and it’s makes the people who listen stupider. Moncrieff on Newstalk is light years better.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Walsh
    Favourite John Walsh
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 7:07 PM

    A lot of old people don’t have the energy to turn the dial.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roughan Mac Namara
    Favourite Roughan Mac Namara
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 9:28 PM

    Who listens to all this shit programs on the radio? Seriously life is too short. It would be worse than CIA waterboarding to listen to Joe Duffy every day.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maria Kissane
    Favourite Maria Kissane
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:27 PM

    Proves we’re a nation of whingers …….Inda was right :-(

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Fontaine
    Favourite Daniel Fontaine
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:47 PM

    Spirit Radio for me.
    Positive vibes all day long.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maria Kissane
    Favourite Maria Kissane
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:26 PM

    Liveline ???

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JJ
    Favourite JJ
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 6:43 PM

    It didn’t say what the average age of the listeners were ? With the choice of digital radio stations, podcasts , streaming services I’m surprised terrestrial radio is still going.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ynot
    Favourite ynot
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:55 PM

    I miss Derek Mooney and his money
    Byeeeeeeeee

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute NB
    Favourite NB
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:50 PM

    Wow…not a mention of yer man who moved to newstalk

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Cassidy
    Favourite Niall Cassidy
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:01 PM

    The Christian OConnell breakfast show on absolute radio is quite good.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Fontaine
    Favourite Daniel Fontaine
    Report
    Oct 26th 2016, 8:21 PM

    Love Christian radio.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enda Cusack
    Favourite Enda Cusack
    Report
    Oct 28th 2016, 10:26 PM

    #PatKenny anyone. Just putting it out there

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds