US halts student visa appointments amid plans for expanded social media vetting

In a sweeping policy move with far-reaching implications for international students, the United States has halted the scheduling of new student visa appointments, pending the rollout of expanded social media vetting procedures.

The order, issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, instructs all U.S. embassies and consulates to pause student visa scheduling “until further guidance is issued.”

A memo obtained by CBS News and reviewed by the BBC outlines the administration’s intention to ramp up scrutiny of applicants’ online activity, a measure that would apply to both student (F and M) and foreign exchange (J) visa categories.

The directive marks a sharp escalation in President Donald Trump’s immigration stance, particularly targeting higher education—a sector already strained by tensions with the White House.

“This will have significant implications for embassies and consulates around the world,” the memo noted, adding that the social media checks will require new protocols and training, likely leading to further delays in visa processing.

While students who already have appointments on the books will be allowed to proceed, new applicants will have to wait until the government completes its review of vetting procedures. The timeline for when appointments might resume remains unclear.

The decision comes against a backdrop of intensifying friction between the Trump administration and top American universities, many of which the president has accused of harboring left-wing ideologies and promoting what he claims is antisemitism on campus.

Trump has also sharply criticized affirmative action policies used in university admissions, calling them discriminatory.

On Tuesday, students at Harvard University staged a protest in solidarity with international students, many of whom now face uncertainty about their academic futures. Chanting slogans in front of the university’s iconic gates, students called for the reinstatement of visa services and an end to what they labeled a politically motivated crackdown on higher education.

Images from the protest show students in graduation caps and gowns, some draped in sashes bearing the American flag—a symbolic reminder of the global appeal of U.S. education and the long-standing contributions of international scholars.

Critics of the administration’s move warn it could damage the United States’ reputation as a welcoming destination for international talent.

“This is short-sighted and deeply harmful,” said Marsha Lin, director of international affairs at the University of California, Berkeley. “These students are not only future leaders in science and business, they are also key to the financial health of our universities.”

The State Department has not yet publicly commented on the implementation timeline or criteria for the expanded social media vetting process.

Immigration and education advocates are urging the administration to reverse the decision, warning that delays could disrupt the upcoming academic term and drive students to consider other countries for their education.

As the Trump administration doubles down on immigration-related initiatives ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, student mobility may become yet another front in the administration’s broader ideological battle with American academia.