Trump Administration Halts New Student Visa Interviews
The Trump administration has paused new student and exchange visa interviews at U.S. embassies worldwide, and announced plans to expand social media screening for applicants. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the pause in interviews allows the State Department to review its current vetting processes. Existing appointments will proceed, but unscheduled ones are being pulled until new guidance is issued. A State Department spokesperson stated, “We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that’s coming here, whether they are students or otherwise.”
The decision comes amid growing concerns over the administration's stance toward international students and elite universities. Trump has accused top schools of harboring antisemitism through pro-Palestinian protests and has targeted institutions like Harvard by freezing billions in funding and attempting to block them from enrolling foreign students. China, a major source of international students, has urged the U.S. to protect their rights. Critics say the crackdown infringes on free speech, especially as some visa revocations have been linked to students’ online criticism of Israel.
While the pause doesn’t apply to students with scheduled interviews, it's unclear how long it will last or how many future students could be impacted. With over 1.1 million international students currently in the U.S., many universities that rely on higher tuition from this group may face significant financial consequences if the restrictions continue.
