US Suspends Student Visas, Eyes Stricter Social Media Checks
Trump Administration Halts Student Visa Appointments, Plans Expanded Social Media Vetting
The Trump administration has ordered a temporary halt to the scheduling of student visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, as it prepares to expand social media vetting of international student applicants.
In a diplomatic memo issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, embassies were instructed to remove all unscheduled student visa appointments from their calendars “until further guidance is issued.” Applicants with existing appointments may still attend them for now.
The memo outlines plans to intensify screening measures, specifically by broadening the scope of social media vetting for both student and foreign exchange visa applicants.
While it does not detail what content will be scrutinized, the expansion is expected to significantly increase the workload at diplomatic missions.
This move comes amid escalating tensions between President Trump and leading U.S. universities, many of which he accuses of fostering left-wing ideologies, tolerating antisemitism, and maintaining discriminatory admissions practices.
The administration has taken an aggressive stance against campuses seen as sympathetic to pro-Palestinian protests, citing national security and ideological concerns.
Foreign students, who often pay higher tuition fees, represent a major source of revenue for U.S. universities.
The new restrictions could have serious financial implications for these institutions, many of which are already under pressure from recent federal funding cuts and visa policy changes.
The State Department’s spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, emphasized the importance of rigorous screening during a press briefing, saying, “We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country, and we’re going to continue to do that.”
In recent months, the Trump administration has also attempted to revoke the visa privileges of certain institutions, including Harvard University, which it barred from hosting international students and scholars. That decision was temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
With over 25% of its student body composed of international students, Harvard and similar institutions could face significant setbacks if the administration’s visa restrictions are upheld.
Critics argue the policies threaten academic freedom and international collaboration, while the administration defends them as necessary for national security and institutional accountability.
US Suspends Student Visas, Eyes Stricter Social Media Checks