U.S. Temporarily Halts New Visa Interviews for International Students Amid Social Media Vetting Expansion
The U.S. Department of State has temporarily stopped scheduling new visa interviews for international students aiming to study in the United States. This pause comes as the department prepares to enhance the screening of applicants through their social media activities, officials confirmed.
An anonymous U.S. official indicated that this suspension is meant to be temporary, affecting only those who have not yet scheduled their visa interviews. The official, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, revealed this information based on an internal document from the administration.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP
A cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, obtained by The Associated Press, outlines the plan for expanded social media vetting. The cable states, “Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consulate sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity” until further guidance is provided.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed the situation during a Tuesday briefing, emphasizing the use of “every tool” to assess visa applicants, whether they are students or otherwise.
This development is the latest in a series of measures by the Trump administration targeting international students. Recently, the administration revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, which was swiftly challenged in court and is currently blocked by a federal judge.
Earlier in the year, the administration also revoked the legal status of thousands of international students already in the U.S., prompting some to leave due to deportation fears. Although legal status was restored after successful challenges, the government broadened the criteria for terminating international students’ legal status in the future.
President Donald Trump’s prior administration had intensified the scrutiny for all visa applicants by including social media reviews, a policy that continued under President Joe Biden.
The delay in scheduling student visas could potentially affect the enrollment plans of students for summer and fall terms, posing a risk of disruption. For universities, a decline in international student enrollment could impact financial stability, as many institutions rely on the full tuition paid by these students to offset federal research funding cuts.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
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