The Trump administration has ordered all US missions globally to halt the scheduling of new appointments for student and exchange visitor visas, as part of a sweeping policy shift aimed at expanding social media vetting of foreign applicants and tightening immigration controls.

According to an internal cable dated May 27, 2025, seen by Reuters, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed consular officials to pause new appointments for F, M, and J category visas. These cover international students, vocational students, and exchange visitors respectively.

Social Media Vetting at the Core of New Policy

The cable, first reported by Politico, states that the State Department is reviewing its operations related to the screening and vetting of international applicants. Following this, new guidelines on expanded social media scrutiny will be released.

The Department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor visa applicants, and based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants

While existing appointments will proceed under current rules, all future unscheduled slots must be withdrawn, the cable said.

Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Intensifies

This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration agenda, which in recent months has seen renewed focus on deportations, visa revocations, and punitive actions against educational institutions perceived to defy federal mandates.

According to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the government will use every tool available to assess all entrants, whether students or otherwise.

We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that’s coming here, whether they are students or otherwise
Bruce told reporters at a routine briefing.

Student Protesters Facing Deportation

The administration has also begun targeting international students for deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel, especially in relation to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Officials claim such students represent a threat to US foreign policy, accusing some of being pro-Hamas, though no formal evidence has been made public.

A Tufts University student from Turkey was detained for over six weeks in Louisiana’s immigration detention system after she co-authored an op-ed critical of her university’s stance on Gaza. She was released only after a federal judge granted her bail.

Civil liberties groups have slammed this policy, calling it an attack on free speech rights protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Harvard University in the Crosshairs

The student visa freeze coincides with a larger political battle between the Trump administration and Harvard University. Last week, the government moved to revoke Harvard’s authorisation to enrol international students, directly affecting over 6,800 foreign students, who constitute 27 percent of its student body.

In addition, federal agencies were instructed to cancel contracts with Harvard worth approximately 100 million USD, dealing a blow to the university’s research and financial infrastructure.

This action appears to be retaliatory, following Harvard’s resistance to federal pressure to alter its internal policies and governance structures.

Operational Changes Across US Embassies

Consular offices worldwide are now expected to adjust their operations, resources, and workflows to comply with the new directive. The cable highlights that expanded social media vetting will require greater manpower and time per application, effectively slowing down the visa process for many.

The guidance asks visa officers to focus their resources on other priorities, such as:

• Providing services for US citizens

• Processing immigrant visas

• Investigating fraud and high-risk applications

Embassy sections have been cautioned to assess the resource burden of each case before accepting new bookings, even after the new guidance is eventually issued.

A Chilling Effect on Academic Mobility

This sweeping pause in student visa processing is already sending shockwaves across global academic communities, particularly in India, China, Turkey, and Middle Eastern nations, which send tens of thousands of students to the US annually.

Universities and student advocates warn this move could have long-term consequences for the reputation and influence of American higher education.

Educational experts argue that the US risks losing its competitive edge if foreign students choose Canada, the UK, Australia, or Europe over the uncertainty of American immigration politics.

The Association of American Universities (AAU) and other education bodies have issued statements urging the administration to reverse course before long-term damage is done to the country's global academic stature.

Conclusion: Politics Over Policy

The Trump administration’s decision to suspend new student visa appointments is seen as a political statement as much as a policy decision. Critics say it punishes universities and students alike for political disagreements, especially those surrounding Middle East conflicts and immigration ideologies

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Ganga Bath Fittings, Victory Electric Vehicles International, Wagons Learning.

The Current active IPO are 3B Films

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.