New Delhi: The US State Department has instructed embassies and consulates around the world to halt the scheduling of new student and exchange visa interviews, pending new guidance on proposed mandatory social media screening, according to a confidential cable obtained by Politico.
Signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and dated Tuesday, the cable outlines the administration’s plan to expand the vetting process for foreign nationals applying under F, M, and J visa categories, which are commonly used by international students and exchange visitors.
A sharp escalation from earlier policies
“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel,” the cable states, using internal State Department shorthand for “separate telegram”.
The move marks a sharp escalation from earlier policies, which only required limited social media scrutiny for select visa applicants. The proposed expansion comes amid growing political scrutiny of US universities and recent campus protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A broader push by the administration
The administration is reportedly weighing the policy in connection with executive orders aimed at countering terrorism and antisemitism. However, the vagueness of existing guidelines has left many consular officials uncertain about enforcement parameters, raising concerns of potential overreach and bias.
Many US institutions rely on international students for both academic diversity and financial stability.
The decision is also part of a broader push by the administration to crack down on what it perceives as liberal campus environments that permit antisemitic expression. Elite universities, including Harvard, have recently come under fire from conservative lawmakers and advocacy groups aligned with the administration.
