In a sweeping move affecting international education, the Trump administration has suspended student visa interviews at US embassies and consulates, citing enhanced social media screening procedures.
Following a directive from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, all American diplomatic missions have been ordered to halt scheduling new visa interview appointments for foreign students until further notice. The move is part of broader efforts to intensify vetting of applicants’ online activity under the F-1 and J-1 visa categories, according to a notice sent to US embassies worldwide.
“This suspension will remain in effect until further instructions are issued,” stated the official message, as reported by the BBC.
The new order is expected to significantly impact US consulates, potentially causing procedural delays and increased workload due to the heightened social media verification process. Embassies have also been instructed to remove unscheduled applicants from their appointment calendars. However, those with already confirmed appointments will still be allowed to attend interviews.
This development comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and leading American universities, which the president has criticized as excessively left-leaning. Trump has accused several institutions of allowing antisemitism on campus and implementing discriminatory admission policies.
The move has sparked concern among international students and academic institutions, who fear the policy could deter foreign talent and damage the US’s reputation as a global education hub.
LND/BG
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