Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, May 28: The Trump administration has directed US embassies and consulates around the world to immediately suspend visa interview appointments for foreign students and exchange visitors, signaling a sharp escalation in immigration and security measures tied to expanded social media scrutiny.
A cable issued by the US State Department on Tuesday, obtained by multiple outlets including Politico and The Guardian, instructs embassies to pause scheduling of F, M, and J visa interviews – the categories for students and exchange visitors – pending further guidance. The order is part of a broader overhaul of the vetting process, expected to include comprehensive analysis of applicants' social media activity across platforms such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok.
“The department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor visa applicants,” the cable stated.
The new measures would extend beyond individuals flagged for activism, encompassing all international student applicants. This comes after recent policies targeting students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, with consular officers instructed to conduct mandatory social media reviews to identify support for “terrorist activity or a terrorist organization.” Officers have reportedly been directed to take screenshots of questionable content for permanent files, even if deleted later.
The decision is expected to disrupt visa processing, potentially delaying or halting the arrival of thousands of students for upcoming academic sessions. This could significantly affect U.S. universities, many of which depend heavily on international student tuition and are already grappling with enrollment challenges.
According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, over one million foreign students studied in the U.S. in the 2023–2024 academic year, contributing an estimated $43.8 billion to the economy and supporting more than 378,000 jobs.
The freeze appears to align with the Trump administration’s broader stance on combating antisemitism and national security threats, linking activism on U.S. campuses to potential security concerns. Senator Marco Rubio, addressing the Senate last week, claimed that the administration has already revoked “probably in the thousands” of visas, a significant increase from the 300 reported in March.
The State Department has yet to publicly comment on the directive, while universities and student advocacy groups have voiced alarm over the potential long-term impact on the U.S.'s reputation as a global education hub.