The United States has temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students, as the Trump administration moves to tighten scrutiny of social media activity by prospective applicants.
The decision, outlined in a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, directs consular offices across the globe to pause the addition of new interview slots for student and exchange visitor visas. This step, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity, is part of a wider push to expand vetting procedures.
“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 the guidance is issued,” the cable reads.
Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the State Department, confirmed the development at a briefing on Tuesday, stating, “We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that’s coming here, whether they are students or otherwise.”
The move does not impact applicants who already have scheduled interviews. However, observers warn that any extended delay could disrupt enrolment plans for thousands of students seeking to commence or continue studies in the United States this summer and autumn.
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This development is the latest in a series of steps taken by the Trump administration to curb the inflow of international students. Just last week, the administration revoked Harvard University’s authorisation to enrol foreign students by stripping it of its place in the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme. That decision, however, was promptly challenged in court and temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
In addition, the administration recently rescinded the legal status of thousands of international students already present in the US, prompting many to leave over fears of deportation. Although numerous students successfully contested these revocations in court, leading to a restoration of status, the government has broadened the criteria under which such status can be terminated in future.
The policy of monitoring applicants’ social media accounts, introduced during Trump’s earlier tenure, had continued under former President Joe Biden. Now, with the proposed expansion, critics fear a further chilling effect on student migration.
Any significant dip in international student enrolments could deliver a financial blow to many US institutions, which rely on full-fee-paying foreign students to compensate for declining federal research funding.
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