The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has ordered all US embassies and consulates worldwide to stop scheduling new interviews for student visas, as the Trump administration considers expanding the vetting process to include stricter scrutiny of applicants’ social media profiles.
According to a cable on May 27, 2025, obtained by POLITICO, the U.S. State Department has ordered all consular sections to “not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity” until further instructions are issued. The directive is part of preparations to implement broader social media screening protocols for foreign student visa applicants.
The communication noted, “Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting…we anticipate [new guidelines] in the coming days.”
This development comes amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing criticism of American higher education institutions, particularly elite universities, which he accuses of promoting left-leaning ideologies and enabling antisemitic behavior on campuses. The administration has already revoked certain universities’ ability to enroll international students, including Harvard, though some measures have been blocked by U.S. courts.
A memo seen by CBS News echoed the changes, instructing diplomatic posts to remove unfilled appointments from scheduling systems while allowing previously scheduled interviews to proceed. The State Department acknowledged that the planned expansion in vetting would carry “significant implications” for consular operations.
The move could have far-reaching consequences for U.S. universities, many of which depend heavily on international students for revenue, as they often pay higher tuition fees than domestic students.
When questioned about the evolving policy, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, “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.”
Amid the new scrutiny, the U.S. Embassy in India also issued a fresh advisory to international students via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), emphasising the importance of maintaining visa compliance. “If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your program of study without informing your school, your student visa may be revoked, and you may lose eligibility for future U.S. visas. Always adhere to the terms of your visa and maintain your student status to avoid any issues,” the post warned.
