U.S. stops scheduling visa interviews for foreign students : NPR

WASHINGTON — The State Department has paused the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students planning to study in the U.S. as it readies to enhance social media screening, officials revealed.

A U.S. official mentioned Tuesday that the suspension is temporary and does not impact applicants with existing visa interview appointments. The official requested anonymity to discuss an internal government document.

A memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by The Associated Press outlines the State Department’s intention to provide guidance on expanded social media vetting.

“Effective immediately, consulate sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity in anticipation of an expansion of mandatory social media screening and vetting,” the memo states.

When asked about the suspension during a briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized the use of all available resources to vet visa applicants.

“We will continue to utilize every tool at our disposal to assess individuals applying to enter the country, whether as students or in other capacities,” Bruce stated.

This development, initially reported by Politico, represents the latest move in the Trump administration’s tightening of regulations on international students.

Last week, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s authority to enroll international students, excluding the university from the program that permits schools to sponsor foreign students for visas. This action was promptly challenged in court and is currently halted by a federal judge.

Earlier this spring, the administration also revoked the legal status of numerous international students already in the U.S., prompting some to depart out of fear of deportation. Following successful legal challenges by many students, the administration announced the reinstatement of their legal status. However, the government expanded the criteria for terminating the legal status of international students moving forward.

The former administration of President Donald Trump intensified scrutiny of all visa applicants by scrutinizing their social media profiles, a policy that has persisted during President Joe Biden’s tenure.

An extended pause in scheduling student visas could result in delays that may disrupt the plans of college, boarding school, or exchange students aiming to enroll in upcoming terms.

A decline in the enrollment of international students could have financial implications for universities. To offset reductions in federal research funding, some colleges have increased enrollment of international students who typically pay full tuition.