Washington, D.C. – May 28, 2025
The Trump administration has ordered a pause on scheduling new student visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide as it considers implementing mandatory social media vetting for all foreign students applying to study in the United States, according to a State Department cable obtained by Politico. The directive, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, marks a significant escalation in the administration’s efforts to tighten immigration controls, potentially disrupting visa processing and impacting U.S. universities that rely heavily on international students for revenue.
Pause on Visa Interviews
The cable instructs consular sections to halt additional appointments for student and exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visas “effective immediately” until further guidance is issued, expected in the coming days. The move is in preparation for an expansion of social media screening, which could target content related to terrorism, antisemitism, or participation in pro-Palestinian campus protests, though specific criteria remain unclear. Existing interview schedules will proceed, but the pause could significantly delay visa processing, affecting over 1.1 million international students enrolled in U.S. institutions during the 2023-24 academic year.
Impact on Universities
The directive threatens the financial stability of many U.S. colleges and universities, which depend on international students who contribute an estimated $43.8 billion annually to the U.S. economy and support over 378,000 jobs, according to the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers. Harvard University, already under scrutiny from the Trump administration, faces particular challenges after the administration briefly revoked its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification last week, a move later paused by a federal court. The halt in visa interviews could disrupt plans for incoming students, including those admitted to Harvard’s Class of 2029.
Social Media Vetting Concerns
The proposed expansion builds on existing social media screening measures, which have primarily targeted students linked to pro-Palestinian protests. Earlier in March 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service extended vetting to green card applicants, citing national security concerns under Trump’s executive order, “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” Critics, including State Department officials, have raised concerns about the vagueness of vetting criteria, warning that policies could be applied unevenly or disproportionately based on political views. For example, it remains unclear whether posting a Palestinian flag on social media could trigger additional scrutiny.
Broader Context and Criticism
The pause is part of the Trump administration’s broader campaign against universities, particularly elite institutions like Harvard, which it accuses of fostering liberal bias and antisemitism. Last week, Trump demanded a list of all foreign students at Harvard, claiming their home countries contribute little to their education, and threatened to cancel $100 million in federal contracts with the university. Rights groups have criticized the social media vetting plan, citing risks of discriminatory enforcement, while immigration experts warn of economic fallout if international student enrollment declines.
International and Domestic Reactions
Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some supporting the administration’s focus on national security, while others, including Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council, warn that suspending student visa interviews could threaten billions in economic contributions. The State Department has not detailed the new vetting requirements, with officials like Bruce declining to comment publicly to avoid undermining the process.
As the administration finalizes its vetting policy, the pause on visa interviews signals a challenging period ahead for international students and U.S. higher education, with potential ripple effects on global academic mobility and institutional funding.
