The U.S. government has temporarily halted new visa interviews for international students. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an order aimed at curbing anti-Semitic and left-wing ideologies on American university campuses.
Rubio instructed U.S. embassies worldwide not to schedule any new student visa interviews. This move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to tighten the screening process, particularly through stricter scrutiny of students’ social media activity.
He stated that, effective immediately, consular offices must not allow new appointments for student (F and M category) or exchange visitor (J category) visas until further guidelines are issued.
Previously Scheduled Interviews Still Valid, But No New Bookings
While previously scheduled interviews will still go ahead, no new appointments are to be added to the schedule.
Authorities to Examine Students’ Social Media Activity
This policy affects the F, M, and J visa categories, which cover most international students and exchange visitors. The U.S. administration claims that individuals entering through these programs could pose a threat to national security or promote anti-Semitic sentiments.
Officials have been instructed to examine students’ activity on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), including likes, comments, and shares. The aim is to identify any content that could be considered a security risk.
According to The Guardian, since March, officials have been monitoring the social media accounts of students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. They have been taking screenshots of posts—even those later deleted—that they deem offensive.
The new directive doesn’t clearly outline what specific social media content will be evaluated going forward. Previously, social media checks were primarily limited to students known to have participated in pro-Palestinian protests.
Skipping Classes Could Lead to Visa Cancellation
The Trump administration has also stated that international students who skip classes or drop out of their course without proper notification may have their student visas revoked.
The U.S. Embassy in India released a statement urging students to strictly follow visa conditions to avoid any complications.
Contracts with Universities Under Review
In a related move, the Trump administration is preparing to cancel a contract worth nearly ₹850 crore (approx. $100 million USD) with Harvard University. The government has already halted over ₹22,000 crore (approx. $2.7 billion USD) in funding to the Ivy League institution.
Impact on University Revenues
These restrictions could delay the visa process and affect universities that rely heavily on income from international students. As of last year, over 1.1 million international students were studying in the U.S., contributing an estimated $43.8 billion (₹3.66 lakh crore) to the American economy.
Rubio also told Congress last week that “thousands” of student visas have already been canceled, though he admitted he didn’t have the exact number and said more work still needs to be done.
In March, Rubio said, “If you apply for a U.S. student visa and say you intend to participate in protests involving vandalism, disrupting students, or occupying buildings, you will not be granted a visa.”
Harvard Admissions for Foreign Students Temporarily Blocked
President Donald Trump has accused some universities of promoting left-wing and anti-Semitic views. Last week, based on these allegations, his administration blocked foreign student admissions at Harvard.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sent a letter to Harvard accusing the university of fostering violence, anti-Semitism, and cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party.
The administration also instructed foreign students currently studying at Harvard to transfer to other institutions—or risk deportation. However, a Massachusetts court has temporarily paused this decision.
