The Trump administration ordered U.S. embassies worldwide to halt scheduling new visa interviews for international students (F, M, and J visas) as it prepares to expand social media screening for all applicants, according to a State Department cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The pause, reported by Politico, aims to implement stricter vetting to address national security concerns, particularly antisemitism tied to pro-Palestinian campus protests. Existing interview appointments will proceed, with further guidance expected soon.
“The Trump administration is weighing requiring all foreign students applying to study in the United States to undergo social media vetting,” a news report in Politico said.
In the cable, first reported by Politico, Rubio said appointments that have already been scheduled can proceed under the current guidelines, but available appointments not already taken should be pulled down.
“In preparation for such required vetting, the administration is ordering US embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new interviews for such student visa applicants,” the report cited a “cable” dated May 27 signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“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 septel, which we anticipate in the coming days,” the cable states, referring to the State Department shorthand for “separate telegram”.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters at a regular news briefing, U.S. will use “every tool” to vet anyone who wants to enter the United States.
“What I can remind everyone of, which we’ve discussed for months here, is that we use every tool in our tool chest to vet anyone coming in who wants to come into this country, and in order to do so has to apply for a visa to gain access to our nation. So we – every sovereign country has a right to know who is trying to come in, why they want to come in, who they are, what they’ve been doing, and at least hopefully within that framework, determine what they will be doing while they’re here. So we – that’s nothing new, and we will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that’s coming here, whether they are students or otherwise, ” Bruce said.
How Does The Pause Impact Students?
An extended pause in scheduling student visas could lead to delays that may disrupt the plans of college, boarding-school, or exchange students to enrol in summer and fall terms.
The move could delay visa processing, impacting over 1.1 million international students who contribute $43.8 billion annually to the U.S. economy, per NAFSA. Critics, including NAFSA’s CEO Fanta Aw, argue it unfairly targets students, who make up less than 6% of U.S. college enrollment.
A decline in international student enrollment could harm university budgets. To make up for cuts in federal research funding, some colleges shifted to enrolling more international students, who often pay full tuition.
Alternative Options
Students may opt for universities in Canada, Australia, or Europe, where visa processes are less restrictive.
