Trump Administration Halts Student Visa Interviews, Amid Plans for Stricter Social Media Screening

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has ordered U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to halt scheduling new interviews for student and exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visas as it prepares to expand social media vetting for applicants, according to a State Department cable obtained by Politico. The directive, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, signals a significant shift in visa processing that could delay applications and affect universities reliant on international students.

"Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued," the cable stated. It noted that interviews already scheduled may proceed under current guidelines, but unclaimed appointment slots should be removed from availability.

The move comes amid the administration's broader efforts to tighten immigration policies, particularly targeting what it describes as national security threats and antisemitism on U.S. campuses. The cable, first reported by Politico, indicates the State Department is reviewing existing operations to implement "expanded social media vetting for all such applicants." While the cable does not specify what content or platforms will be targeted, it suggests a focus on identifying terrorism or antisemitic behavior, building on prior vetting aimed at students involved in pro-Palestinian protests.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed the policy during a Tuesday briefing, emphasizing the administration's commitment to thorough vetting. "We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country," Bruce said, adding, "We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that's coming here, whether they are students or otherwise." She declined to provide details on the expanded vetting, citing that public discussion would be "counterproductive."

The pause on new visa interviews could have far-reaching consequences for international students and U.S. universities. Over 1.1 million international students were enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities during the 2023-2024 academic year, contributing approximately $44 billion to the economy, according to Forbes. Many institutions, particularly elite universities like Harvard, rely heavily on international student tuition to bolster their budgets. The cable acknowledges that expanded vetting could have "potentially significant implications for consular section operations, processes and resource allocations," potentially slowing down visa processing and creating uncertainty for applicants.

The directive follows recent administration actions targeting universities perceived as too liberal. Last week, the Trump administration attempted to block Harvard University from enrolling international students, a move halted by a federal judge. The administration also directed federal agencies to explore terminating contracts with Harvard worth nearly $100 million, citing concerns over antisemitism and ideological bias.

Critics argue the policy could deter international students from pursuing education in the U.S., threatening academic freedom and the financial stability of higher education institutions. The Columbia Spectator reported that the pause has raised concerns among students worried about visa processing delays ahead of the upcoming academic year. Meanwhile, some State Department officials have privately expressed frustration over vague guidance, particularly regarding what constitutes problematic social media content, such as posting a Palestinian flag.

The State Department has indicated that further guidance on the vetting process will be issued in the coming days, but for now, international students face uncertainty as the administration reshapes visa policies.