The Biden-era halt on visa restrictions is being reversed under President Donald Trump, as his administration orders U.S. embassies to stop scheduling new student visa appointments.
The move is part of a broader plan to tighten scrutiny of international students, especially through expanded social media vetting.
A diplomatic memo, issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructed embassies to pause student visa appointment bookings "until further guidance is issued." However, students who already have appointments scheduled will not be affected — at least for now.
The memo also revealed that the State Department is preparing to implement more extensive social media screening for student and exchange visa applicants.
The changes are expected to significantly impact how embassies process these applications.
This policy shift comes as Trump intensifies his battle with elite U.S. universities, which he claims promote left-leaning ideologies and foster environments hostile to certain groups.
He has repeatedly accused top institutions of encouraging antisemitism under the guise of supporting pro-Palestinian protests, and of using what he describes as discriminatory admissions practices.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce defended the administration`s actions on Tuesday, saying, “We take the vetting process seriously and will continue to ensure only the right individuals enter the country.”
Foreign students typically need to complete in-person interviews at U.S. embassies before receiving approval to study in the country.
These students represent a vital source of funding for many American colleges, as they often pay significantly higher tuition rates than domestic students.
The Trump administration has already taken a hard stance against universities: freezing hundreds of millions in funding, attempting to deport certain students, and revoking thousands of visas — though several of these measures have been blocked by federal courts.
One of the biggest flashpoints in this ongoing conflict is Harvard University. Last week, the Trump administration stripped Harvard of its ability to enroll international students and host foreign researchers — a decision that was quickly challenged and temporarily blocked by a judge. If the ruling stands, it could severely damage the institution, where over 25% of the student body comes from outside the United States.
Universities have pushed back, accusing the administration of trying to undermine academic freedom and infringe upon free speech on campus — especially when it comes to political and human rights activism.
As visa policy hardens and social media scrutiny intensifies, the future of international education in the U.S. appears increasingly uncertain.
