The Trump administration has directed US embassies globally to halt scheduling appointments for student visas while preparing to expand social media screening of applicants.
An internal memo indicates that social media vetting will be intensified for student and foreign exchange visas, creating “significant implications” for embassies and consulates worldwide.
This directive is part of Trump’s broader campaign targeting America’s elite universities, which he considers excessively left-wing. The administration has criticized these institutions for inadequately addressing antisemitism during pro-Palestinian campus protests.
China has responded by urging the US to protect international students’ rights. “We urge the US side to earnestly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of international students, including those from China,” an official stated. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese students currently attend American universities.
Universities are expected to be concerned about these measures, as many depend significantly on foreign students who typically pay higher tuition fees for funding.
Foreign students seeking a US education normally must schedule embassy interviews in their home countries before visa approval.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized on Tuesday that the administration takes vetting processes seriously and will continue rigorous screening.
The memo, obtained by CBS News, instructed embassies to cancel unfilled student visa appointments while allowing already-scheduled interviews to proceed. The pause will continue “until further guidance is issued,” according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The directive also announced preparations for “expansion of required social media screening and vetting” for all student visa applications, though specific screening criteria were not detailed.
Previous reports indicate the Trump administration had already enhanced student social media vetting, connecting these efforts to campus protest crackdowns. In April, the Department of Homeland Security stated that “antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals” could justify denying immigration benefits.
The broader university crackdown includes freezing hundreds of millions in university funding and attempting to deport students while revoking thousands of visas. Courts have blocked many of these actions.
The White House argues that some universities have allowed pro-Palestinian activism to become a vehicle for antisemitism. Universities contend the administration is infringing on free speech rights, with critics viewing the social media vetting policy as further First Amendment violations.
Trump maintains he is defending free speech throughout his presidency.
Harvard University has become a primary target, with Trump freezing $2.65bn in federal grants and reviewing an additional $100m in funding. Harvard’s president warned that cuts will “hurt” the country by affecting government-priority research.
Last week, Trump revoked Harvard’s ability to enroll international students or host foreign researchers, though a federal judge blocked the measure. If implemented, this could severely impact the university, where over 25% of students are international. Students protested the policy on Harvard’s Boston-area campus on Tuesday.
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