What is social media vetting? US pauses visa interviews for foreign students

The Donald Trump administration has ordered the US embassies around the world to stop new student visa interviews, as part of a larger plan to increase the scrutiny of the social media profiles of all the foreign students applying to study in the US.

 

The temporary suspension will not apply to applicants who had already scheduled their visa interviews.

 

The move is expected to affect student visa processing and increase the financial burden on US universities. According to Institute of International Education data, more than 1.1 million foreign students enrolled in American colleges and universities in the 2023-24 academic year. It is a primary revenue and job generator, too – international student enrolment brings in $43.8 million annually and supports 3,78,000 jobs in the US, according to a report by the National Association of Foreign Student Adviser.

 

As per a Politico report, the order cited a cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “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,” Rubio reportedly wrote.

 

What is social media vetting, as proposed by Donald Trump administration?

 

The decision is the latest in the Trump administration's crackdown on foreign students and varsities enrolling them, following pro-Palestine protests on American campuses last year.

 

The cable says that the State Department plans to issue guidelines on expanded social media vetting. The applicant’s social media profiles and online activity are expected to be reviewed strictly by officials to assess if they are eligible to study in the US.

 

Last week, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enrol international students, removing the college from the programme that allows schools to sponsor foreign students for visas. However, the move was challenged in court and is currently blocked by a federal judge.

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