The message stated that social media vetting would be intensified for student and foreign exchange visas, which would have "significant implications" for embassies and consulates.
Published May 28, 2025 | 9:20 AM ⚊ Updated May 28, 2025 | 9:20 AM
Donald Trump. (Creative Commons)
Synopsis: The US ordered embassies to stop scheduling appointments for student visas as it prepares to expand social media vetting of such applicants.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered embassies to stop scheduling appointments for student visas as it prepares to expand social media vetting of such applicants, said a Reuters report on Tuesday, 27 May.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a copy of a memo sent to diplomatic posts, stated that the pause would last “until further guidance is issued”.
The message stated that social media vetting would be intensified for student and foreign exchange visas, which would have “significant implications” for embassies and consulates.
It comes amid Trump’s feud with some of America’s most elite colleges, which he believes are too left-wing. He says some of them have enabled antisemitism on campus and uphold discriminatory admissions policies, reported the BBC.
The order will impact several Indian students who have been waiting for visa appointment interviews.
The state department memo reportedly directed US embassies to remove any unfilled appointments from their calendars for students seeking visas, but said those with scheduled appointments could continue.
“The Department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants, and based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants,” it said.
When reporters asked about student visas, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said: “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.”
Trump administration officials have said student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas.
The White House has accused some US universities of allowing pro-Palestinian activism on campus to be hijacked by antisemitism while colleges have accused the Trump administration of trying to infringe upon free speech rights.
On 22 May, the Trump administration had revoked Harvard University’s ability to enrol foreign students.
In a letter addressed to the University, the Department of Homeland Security noted that the administration has revoked Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, effective immediately, due to non compliance with the department, while “perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies.”
Noting that ability to enrol foreign students is a privilege and not a right, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem noted that, “All universities must comply with Department of Homeland Security requirements, including reporting requirements under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program regulations, to maintain this privilege.”
They further asked the already enrolled students to shift to different universities to maintain their non-immigrant status, and warned other universities of similar action if they didn’t comply with the law and “root out the evils of anti-Americanism and antisemitism in society and campuses.”
