The administration of President Donald Trump has ordered US diplomatic missions abroad to stop scheduling new interviews for student and exchange visas, reports "Reuters" citing an internal letter distributed to consular services. The measure is part of preparations for the introduction of expanded social media screening of F, M and J visa applicants.
The document, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, states that a review of the procedures for screening students and those entering exchange programs is underway, and new guidelines will be issued after its completion. Until then, consulates should cancel unfilled interview times and refrain from rescheduling new ones.
According to "Politico", already scheduled interviews can be held under current rules.
The move comes amid the Trump administration's increased efforts to deport and restrict the entry of foreigners, including by canceling student visas. It was recently reported that students and green card holders have been threatened with deportation for supporting Palestine and criticizing Israel for its actions in Gaza. According to authorities, this poses a "threat to US foreign policy" and is interpreted as a "pro-Hamas position".
However, Trump's critics define the actions as an infringement on the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Amid the decision, protests were held by Harvard students and faculty, who spoke out in defense of international students and against the government's attempts to limit funding to the university. Just a week ago, the Trump administration took steps to revoke Harvard's right to admit international students. They represent about 27% of all students at the university.
In a separate case, a Turkish student studying at Tufts University was detained for more than six weeks in an immigration center in Louisiana for co-authoring a publication criticizing the university's response to the conflict in Gaza. She was only released after a court order granting her bail.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce declined to comment specifically on the internal letter, but said the United States would use "every tool possible" to screen foreigners, whether students or other visa applicants.
The expanded social media vetting will require consulates to change their work processes, reallocate resources, and focus on prioritizing U.S. citizens, immigrant visas, and fraud prevention.
The measure calls into question access to U.S. higher education for thousands of international students and raises serious concerns in the academic community about freedom of expression, political repression, and the international image of the United States as an educational destination.