Trump urgently halts scheduling of interviews for foreign students
According to a report by webangah News Agency, citing Politico, the Trump administration has ordered U.S. embassies and consulates to halt scheduling visa interviews for new international student applicants pending a review of thier social media activity.
The directive,seen by Politico and signed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo,instructs diplomatic posts to temporarily stop adding students to interview appointment lists while officials prepare expanded vetting requirements.
If implemented, this policy could considerably delay visa processing for foreign students—a move that would financially strain universities heavily reliant on international tuition revenue.
The urgent memo states: “Consular sections must promptly pause adding any new student applicants to interview schedules until further notice (likely within days) while preparing for expanded social media screening protocols.”
While the U.S. previously introduced some social media vetting measures—primarily targeting participants in anti-Zionist protests—the latest directive doesn’t specify its focus beyond citing executive orders aimed at “keeping terrorists off U.S. soil and combating antisemitism.”
