The Trump administration has paused new student visa appointments at US embassies and plans to expand social media vetting for applicants. In a memo, Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed embassies to cancel unscheduled student visa interviews, with only pre-booked appointments allowed to proceed.
The move is part of a broader push to increase scrutiny of international students, particularly amid concerns from the administration over alleged support for terrorism and pro-Palestinian activism on US campuses. The expanded social media screening aims to further tighten vetting processes, though specific criteria have not been disclosed.
This decision follows ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and elite US universities, which the President accuses of harboring antisemitism and enforcing biased admissions policies. Harvard University, a primary target, recently faced a temporary federal block after the administration tried to revoke its authority to admit international students.
Foreign students, who often pay higher tuition fees, are crucial to many universities' budgets. Critics argue the policy undermines academic freedom and free speech, while officials insist it ensures national security.
