The Trump administration has ordered US consulates around the world to stop scheduling new visa appointments for international students, according to a State Department cable on Tuesday 27, obtained by Politico.
“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,” the cable instructs.
Effective immediately, the directive is likely to cause severe delays at consulates around the world, which have been told to expect a separate telegram with further information in the coming days.
Stakeholders, while shocked, have stressed that the order relates to the scheduling of new interviews, urging colleagues to stay the course for the long term.
Consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance
State Department cable
The order, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, says the department is reviewing existing student screening processes, which have been ramped up since Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Since the end of March, international students applying for F, M and J visas have been subject to stricter social media vetting relating to two of Donald Trump’s early executive orders focussing on combatting antisemitism and protecting the US from foreign terrorists.
Until now, greater screening has primarily focussed on students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests, though it is thought that today’s directive would apply the social media vetting to all student visa applications.
The previous memo from Rubio included instructions for consulates of how to take screenshots of visa applicant’s social media profiles, if they were deemed to be “advocating for, sympathising with, or persuading others to endorse or espouse terrorist activities”.
The new expansion comes as interest in the US declines due to unprecedented attacks on international students and institutions, as Trump ploughs ahead with attempts to strip Harvard University’s ability to enrol international students entirely.
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is an emerging story. Check back on The PIE News website for further updates…
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