Trump Administration Orders All US Embassies to Stop Student Visa Appointments Immediately
Washington, DC – The Trump administration has ordered US embassies to halt student visa appointments and announced plans to expand social media vetting for international applicants, escalating tensions with elite universities.
The directive, issued in a State Department memo obtained by CBS News, instructed diplomatic posts to cancel all unfilled student visa interview slots while allowing previously scheduled appointments to proceed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the pause would remain in effect “until further guidance is issued.”
The memo also revealed that social media screening for student and exchange visas will be intensified, a move expected to have “significant implications” for consular operations. This comes as President Donald Trump continues to clash with top US universities, accusing them of fostering antisemitism and maintaining biased admissions policies.
Protest at Harvard as Funding Threats Loom
On Tuesday, Harvard University students rallied in support of international peers, many of whom face uncertainty due to the visa restrictions. The protest followed the administration’s decision last week to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students—a move temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
Foreign students contribute heavily to US universities, often paying higher tuition fees. If the visa freeze persists, institutions like Harvard—where over 25% of students are international—could face severe financial strain.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce defended the measures, stating, “We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country.”
Broader Crackdown on Universities
The Trump administration has also sought to withdraw an estimated $100 million in federal funding from Harvard, part of a wider effort targeting schools accused of tolerating antisemitism under the guise of pro-Palestinian activism. Universities argue these actions threaten free speech.
With courts blocking several visa revocations and funding cuts, the legal battle continues. For now, thousands of aspiring international students remain in limbo as the US tightens its immigration policies.
