Kathmadu: The U.S. State Department has temporarily paused the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students, as it prepares to implement expanded social media screening for applicants, officials said Tuesday.
The suspension does not apply to students who already have interview appointments, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal policy details.
A diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by the Associated Press instructs consular offices not to add new appointment slots for student and exchange visitor visas until new guidelines on enhanced vetting are issued.
“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,” the cable states.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said during a briefing that the agency is committed to rigorous visa screening. “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 said.
The move is the latest in a series of measures under the Trump administration targeting international students. Last week, the administration revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students under the visa sponsorship program, a decision that was temporarily blocked by a federal judge after legal challenges.
Earlier this year, thousands of international students already in the U.S. had their legal status revoked. After widespread lawsuits, the government reversed the decision but also broadened criteria for terminating students’ legal status moving forward.
The policy of screening social media accounts of visa applicants began under the Trump administration and has continued during President Joe Biden’s term.
Higher education institutions have warned that prolonged visa delays could impact summer and fall enrollment.
A drop in international student admissions may hurt university finances, as many schools rely on full tuition payments from foreign enrollees to offset reduced federal funding.