US Embassies Halt Student Visa Interviews Amid Social Media Vetting Expansion

US Administration Pauses Student Visa Interviews

The administration of Donald Trump has ordered US embassies around the globe to suspend the scheduling of student visa interviews as it prepares to enhance social media scrutiny of applicants, as reported on Tuesday.

According to a cable from the US State Department, no new interviews should be arranged until further notice, which is expected soon.

However, previously scheduled interviews can proceed as planned, as noted by a news outlet.

The specifics of how the social media vetting will be implemented remain unclear.

This decision could significantly affect numerous universities that rely on international students, who often pay full tuition fees, to support financial aid for domestic students. In the 2023-2024 academic year, foreign students contributed approximately $43.8 billion to the US economy, according to the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers.

During the past year, over 1.1 million international students were enrolled in US higher education institutions, representing 6% of the total student population. India was the leading country of origin, followed by China.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized the importance of thoroughly vetting individuals entering the country, stating that the process will continue.

When questioned about the new social media vetting measures, Bruce remarked that discussing them publicly would be 'counterproductive.'

This development occurs amidst Trump's ongoing disputes with prominent US universities, including Harvard, which he has accused of fostering leftist ideologies, enabling antisemitism, and maintaining biased admissions practices.

The administration has taken strong measures, such as freezing substantial university funding, revoking visas, and attempting to deport international students, although many of these actions have faced legal challenges.

Termination of Contracts with Harvard University

On the same day, the US government instructed federal agencies to end any remaining contracts with Harvard University, valued at approximately $100 million, as reported by a major news outlet.

These contracts include executive training for Department of Homeland Security staff, research on the health impacts of energy drinks, and graduate student research services.

This directive follows a recent federal court ruling that temporarily blocked the Trump administration from revoking the legal status of international students at Harvard.

To date, the US government has withdrawn over $2.6 billion in federal research funding from Harvard after the institution refused to comply with demands to modify its policies and limit campus activism.