US Student Visa Processes See Temporary Halt Amid Social Media Vetting Plans
The United States is pausing the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students as the State Department prepares to intensify the examination of applicants’ social media activities, according to government officials.
An anonymous U.S. official revealed on Tuesday that this suspension is temporary and excludes those who have already arranged their visa interviews. This information comes from an internal document within the administration.
A directive signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, obtained by The Associated Press, outlines the department’s intention to broaden social media scrutiny.
“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consulate sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity” until the guidance is issued, the cable states.
When questioned about the suspension during a briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized the department’s commitment to thoroughly vetting visa applicants. “We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that’s coming here, whether they are students or otherwise,” Bruce stated.
This development, initially reported by Politico, is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to regulate international student arrivals.
Recently, the administration rescinded Harvard University’s authorization to enroll international students, thereby removing it from the program permitting schools to sponsor foreign students for visas. This action faced immediate legal challenges and is currently blocked by a federal judge.
Earlier this year, the administration also annulled the legal status of numerous international students already residing in the U.S., causing some to leave due to deportation fears. Following several successful legal challenges by students, the administration announced the restoration of their legal status but expanded criteria for future revocations.
Under President Donald Trump’s previous administration, visa applicant scrutiny was heightened with the introduction of social media evaluations, a policy that has persisted into President Joe Biden’s term.
The extended pause in visa scheduling might result in delays impacting the enrollment plans of college, boarding-school, or exchange students for upcoming summer and fall sessions.
A potential decline in international student enrollment could impact university finances. Many institutions have relied on full-tuition-paying international students to offset reductions in federal research funding.
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