Trump Administration Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Plans for Expanded Social Media Vetting
Washington, D.C., May 28 – The Trump administration has temporarily halted new student and exchange visitor visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, as it weighs implementing mandatory social media screening for all foreign student applicants. The pause could disrupt the academic plans of thousands of international students and intensify tensions between the federal government and U.S. universities.
According to a cable dated Tuesday and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, consular sections have been instructed to “not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity” until further notice. The decision comes as part of preparations for a potential overhaul in visa screening processes, with a focus on social media activity.
The administration has not detailed what the expanded vetting would entail but referenced executive orders related to counterterrorism and combating antisemitism. Critics fear the move could disproportionately affect students from regions and communities engaged in political discourse, especially those voicing support for Palestine.
Earlier forms of social media screening were reportedly directed at returning students who had participated in protests over Israel’s actions in Gaza. The current expansion could significantly delay visa processing, with potential fallout for universities that rely heavily on international student enrollment for both academic and financial sustainability.
The policy shift has drawn sharp criticism from educational and advocacy organizations. Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, called the action discriminatory and wasteful.
“International students are not a threat to this country. If anything, they’re an incredible asset,” Aw said. “The idea that embassies have the time, capacity, and taxpayer dollars to do this is very problematic.”
Many university leaders and State Department staff have expressed concerns over the vague nature of the vetting criteria. For example, it remains unclear whether simply posting a Palestinian flag on a personal social media account would trigger additional scrutiny.
The move is widely seen as part of the Trump administration’s broader agenda to clamp down on immigration and target elite universities, especially those it views as fostering liberal ideologies or tolerating antisemitic rhetoric.
While social media companies, including Meta, Google, Snap, TikTok, and others, declined to comment, experts warn of the significant privacy and ethical implications of scrutinizing student social media activity as a prerequisite for education access.
With new guidance expected in the coming days, institutions and students around the globe are bracing for the possible long-term consequences of what critics call a politicized crackdown on academic freedom and global exchange.
