The Trump administration has ordered US embassies to stop scheduling appointments for student visas as it prepares to expand social media vetting of applicants. According to a memo sent to diplomatic posts, the pause will last “until further guidance is issued”. Existing appointments will proceed as scheduled, but new ones will be halted. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the move aims to enhance vetting procedures.
The administration plans to step up social media vetting for student and foreign exchange visas, which could have “significant implications” for embassies and consulates. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized the importance of vetting, saying, “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.”
This move is part of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on universities, particularly elite institutions like Harvard, which the administration accuses of enabling antisemitism and upholding discriminatory admissions policies. Harvard University has been a focal point of Trump’s ire, with the administration seeking to pull an estimated $100 million in funding. The university relies heavily on foreign students, who often pay higher tuition fees.
Impact on Universities and International Students
Many institutions rely on foreign students for a significant chunk of their funding. The Trump administration has frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for universities, revoked thousands of visas, and moved to deport students. Harvard University, in particular, has faced uncertainty, with over a quarter of its students being foreign. A federal judge blocked the policy to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students or host foreign researchers.
The expanded vetting process may significantly affect international students and universities, potentially altering the landscape of higher education in the US.