The administration of US President Donald Trump has instructed embassies to halt the scheduling of student visa appointments as it readies to increase social media scrutiny of these applicants.
In a version of a memo distributed to diplomatic posts, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the pause would continue “until further guidance is provided.”
The communication indicated that social media screening would be intensified for student and foreign exchange visas, which would have “major consequences” for embassies and consulates.
It arises during Trump’s conflict with several of America’s top universities, which he thinks lean excessively to the left. He claims that some of them have facilitated antisemitism on campus and maintain biased admissions policies.
A memo from the state department, seen by CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, instructed US embassies on Tuesday to clear any vacant appointments from their calendars for students applying for visas, but indicated that those with existing appointments could proceed.
The diplomatic cable indicated that the State Department was getting ready for an “increase in mandatory social media screening and vetting” relevant to all student visa requests. It does not specify what the vetting would search for.
International students aspiring to study in the US typically need to arrange interviews at a US embassy in their home country prior to gaining approval.
Numerous institutions depend on international students for a substantial portion of their funding, as these students typically pay increased tuition fees.
When asked about student visas, state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Tuesday: “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.”
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