US pauses new student visa interviews in social media vetting push: Report

The Donald Trump administration has ordered US consulates worldwide to pause new student visa interviews, Politico reported, citing documents signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The move is part of a broader plan to mandate social media vetting for all foreign students applying to study in America.

The report also warned that the move could seriously disrupt student visa processing and financially strain US universities that depend heavily on international enrolments.

“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days,” the document accessed by Politico stated.

Earlier, the Trump administration had introduced social media screening rules, mostly targeting returning students linked to protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The latest order did not detail what new vetting would entail, but it referenced executive orders focused on counterterrorism and combating antisemitism, hinting at broader scrutiny ahead.