The United States has temporarily paused new student visa appointments as the Trump administration prepares to intensify social media vetting for international applicants. A memo circulated to U.S. embassies by Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed diplomatic missions to suspend scheduling new interviews “until further guidance is issued.”
The directive specifically affects student and foreign exchange visas and signals a broader effort to ramp up digital scrutiny of foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. for education. According to a diplomatic cable obtained by CBS News, existing appointments will proceed as scheduled, but any unfilled slots must be cleared from calendars.
This move comes amid escalating tensions between the Trump administration and top U.S. universities, many of which are accused by the White House of fostering left-wing ideologies and tolerating antisemitic behavior disguised as pro-Palestinian activism. President Trump has particularly targeted elite institutions like Harvard, which recently had its ability to host international students and researchers revoked—though a federal judge later blocked that action.
Foreign students play a vital financial role in American higher education, typically paying higher tuition fees than domestic students. Universities have expressed concern that stricter visa policies and heightened vetting could severely impact their ability to attract global talent.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce defended the administration’s approach, stating, “We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country, and we’re going to continue to do that.”
Critics argue that the expanded social media screening could be a tool to suppress political expression and academic freedom. College administrators have pushed back, accusing the Trump administration of attempting to stifle free speech and undermine the academic independence of American institutions.
If fully implemented, the policy could mark a significant shift in U.S. immigration procedures for students and potentially reduce the international appeal of American universities, especially those that rely on foreign enrolment for both financial sustainability and global reputation. The pause in visa processing adds yet another layer of uncertainty for prospective students hoping to study in the United States.
