WASHINGTON, May 27 (Reuters) - In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump's administration has directed its missions overseas to suspend the scheduling of new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants. This decision comes as the U.S. State Department prepares to enhance its social media vetting processes for foreign students, as indicated by an internal cable obtained by Reuters on Tuesday.
According to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the department is set to release updated guidance regarding the social media vetting of student and exchange visitor visa applicants following a comprehensive review. In the cable, Rubio urged consular sections to cease the scheduling of new visa appointments while allowing previously scheduled appointments to proceed under existing guidelines.
This strategic move aligns with the Trump administration's broader efforts to intensify deportations and revoke student visas, furthering its stringent immigration policies. The internal cable, first reported by Politico, emphasizes the necessity for the Department to evaluate current operations and processes for screening student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants.
The cable outlines plans for expanded social media vetting, necessitating modifications in consular operations, processes, and resource allocation. As part of this initiative, consular sections are advised to carefully consider the workload and resource requirements for each case before scheduling appointments. Additionally, the cable encourages a continued focus on services for U.S. citizens, immigrant visas, and fraud prevention.
Amid these developments, officials from the Trump administration have raised concerns that holders of student visas and green cards might face deportation due to their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's actions in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They argue that such positions threaten U.S. foreign policy and have accused these individuals of having pro-Hamas sentiments.
This controversial approach has sparked criticism from Trump's opponents, who label it as an infringement on free speech rights protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. For instance, a Tufts University student from Turkey faced over six weeks of detention in Louisiana after co-authoring an opinion piece that criticized her university's response to the war in Gaza. She was ultimately released after a federal judge granted her bail.
In a related development, the Trump administration has sought to revoke Harvard University's capacity to enroll international students. The approximately 6,800 international students at Harvard represent around 27% of the institution's total enrollment. This move appears to be a retaliatory measure against Harvard for resisting government demands for substantial policy changes.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these policy changes will affect the landscape of international education in the U.S. and the future of student visas. The Trump administration's hardline immigration stance continues to provoke debate and concern among educators, students, and policymakers alike.
Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by Simon Lewis; Writing by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Nick Zieminski.
