The Trump administration has instructed U.S. embassies around the world to halt new student visa interview appointments, as part of a broader expansion of social media vetting procedures for international applicants.
According to an internal State Department memo, seen by CBS News, the directive applies to both student (F-1) and foreign exchange (J-1) visa categories. While existing appointments will proceed as scheduled, new ones are to be suspended “until further guidance is issued,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote in the memo.
This pause coincides with the administration’s escalating scrutiny of U.S. universities, particularly amid concerns over pro-Palestinian protests and alleged antisemitic incidents on campuses.
“We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Tuesday. “And we’re going to continue to do that.”
Expanded Social Media Screening
The memo indicates that the U.S. government is preparing for an “expansion of required social media screening and vetting” for all applicants seeking student visas. The document did not specify the parameters of the additional screening or the criteria for evaluation.
In recent months, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has emphasized the potential role of online conduct in immigration decisions. In an April statement, DHS said it would consider “antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests.”
Diplomatic Reaction and Economic Impact
The new visa directive has sparked concern internationally. China, which sends hundreds of thousands of students to the U.S. each year, responded with a call for the U.S. to respect the rights of international students.
“We urge the U.S. side to earnestly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of international students, including those from China,” a Chinese government spokesperson said.
American universities may also feel the impact. International students typically pay higher tuition fees and account for a significant portion of university revenue.
One U.S. university administrator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “A disruption in student visas will have far-reaching consequences—not just for our budget, but for research and diversity on campus.”
Ongoing Tensions with Universities
President Trump has frequently criticised elite institutions, claiming they are politically biased and insufficiently responsive to antisemitism. Harvard University, in particular, has been a focal point of the administration’s actions. The president has frozen $2.65 billion in federal grants to the university and placed another $100 million under review.
In a statement earlier this month, Harvard’s president responded, “These funding cuts will not only affect Harvard—they will impact national research priorities and innovation capacity across the board.”
Last week, the administration attempted to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students and host foreign researchers. The policy was blocked by a federal judge.
Critics of the visa suspension and vetting expansion say the policies raise First Amendment concerns.
“This move represents an overreach that potentially infringes on freedom of expression and academic independence,” said Rachel Levine, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union.
However, the White House maintains its actions are in line with safeguarding national security and protecting civil discourse. “President Trump has made clear that we will use every tool available to ensure those entering the country do not pose a risk,” Bruce said.
As student protests continue on campuses and legal challenges mount, the future of international education in the U.S. remains uncertain.
