Trump Administration Halts New Student Visa Appointments to Expand Social Media Vetting

President Donald Trump\’s administration stops new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants, preparing for the expansion of social media vetting for foreign students.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicates that pending review, updated guidance on social media vetting protocols will be issued and advises a halt in scheduling new visa appointments.

Trump’s administration’s deportation ramp-up and student visa revocation are seen as part of his broader political agenda.

According to POLITICO, Rubio stated that already scheduled appointments can proceed, but unclaimed appointments should be withdrawn.

“The Department is reviewing existing processes for screening and vetting student and exchange visitor visa applicants and is planning to issue guidelines on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants,” stated the internal memo.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce didn’t comment on the memo but emphasized the U.S. will use all tools at its disposal to vet anyone wanting to enter the U.S.

The increased social media vetting requires changes in operations, processes, and resource allocation, and consular sections will need to consider these factors when scheduling appointments, according to the memo.

Trump officials have stated that student visa and green card holders supporting Palestinians and criticizing Israel’s conduct in Gaza could be deported, labeling such actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas. Critics see this as an attack on free-speech rights provided by the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

A Turkish student at Tufts University was released from an immigration detention center after more than six weeks in detention for co-writing an op-ed criticizing her school’s response to Israel’s war in Gaza.

Last week, Trump’s administration initiated moves to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, which represent roughly 27% of Harvard’s total enrollment. The administration has targeted the financial stability and global standing of the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university after it resisted demands for significant policy changes.