The Trump administration has ordered U.S. missions abroad to stop scheduling new visa appointments for international students and exchange visitors as the State Department prepares to implement expanded social media screening, according to an internal cable obtained by Reuters.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the department is reviewing its vetting procedures for F, M, and J visa categories and will issue updated guidelines requiring deeper social media checks. Scheduled appointments will proceed under current rules, but all other openings are to be canceled until further notice.
The policy shift aligns with the administration’s broader hardline immigration agenda, which includes increased deportations and visa revocations. Officials have controversially linked student visa holders’ pro-Palestinian speech or criticism of Israel to national security concerns, prompting accusations of targeting free speech and political dissent.
Consular sections are being advised to prioritize services for U.S. citizens, immigrant visas, and fraud detection during the transition. The intensified scrutiny comes amid a crackdown on academic institutions, including last week’s move to revoke Harvard’s certification to enroll international students.
Critics argue these actions threaten academic freedom and international collaboration, while supporters claim they enhance national security. The sweeping policy changes have already led to high-profile detentions, including that of a Turkish student who co-authored an article critical of Israel and was held for six weeks before being released on bail.
