Move could significantly impact Class of 2029, Harvard newspaper says
President Donald Trump’s administration ordered U.S. embassies to halt interviews for new student visas as it prepares to expand social media screening for all prospective applicants.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the pause in a diplomatic cable Tuesday, according to Politico.
“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 … which we anticipate in the coming days,” Rubio stated.
This plan might significantly delay student visa processing and could adversely affect numerous universities that rely on international students for financial support, Politico reported.
Some conservative advocates celebrated the decision on X.
“GOOD! Stop the flow of anti-American jihadis into our country!” reporter Nick Sortor wrote.
🚨 #BREAKING: President Trump and Secretary Rubio have just put a hold on ALL new student visas, per Politico
The administration wants to put in new measures to vet the social media accounts of new applicants
GOOD! Stop the flow of anti-American jihadis into our country! pic.twitter.com/Ym7635VHlQ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 27, 2025
Similarly, Turning Point USA founder and CEO Charlie Kirk wrote on X, “Foreign students must respect America, not work to sow chaos, threaten our citizens, or otherwise attempt to undermine the West. This should have been done years ago.”
In another X post, Arizona State University Professor Owen Anderson wrote, “This is a huge deal for universities like ASU that planned to meet their budget deficits and the enrollment cliff with more international students.”
Meanwhile, an organization that supports international students strongly criticized the decision.
“The idea that the embassies have the time, the capacity, and taxpayer dollars are being spent this way is very problematic,” the Association of International Educators CEO Fanta Aw told Politico.
“International students are not a threat to this country. If anything, they’re an incredible asset to this country,” she said.
Harvard University’s newspaper also weighed in, stating the move could impact international students admitted to the school’s Class of 2029.
“After receiving admission to Harvard in December or March, international students apply for student visas from U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries,” according to the Harvard Crimson.
When the pause on student visa applicant interviews was implemented, numerous international admits were likely still arranging their appointment schedules.
This month, the Trump administration withdrew Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, preventing the school from admitting international students, The College Fix previously reported.
This move stemmed from Harvard’s alleged failure to address antisemitism and “diversity, equity, and inclusion” issues, threatening the status of over 7,000 international students.
However, a federal judge quickly blocked this move after Harvard sued the federal government.
Last month, State Department officials requested a review of social media profiles for foreign students, while also proposing that visas might be rejected based on “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S., the Independent reported.
MORE: Trump admin revokes more than 300 student visas
IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: Harvard University website through a magnifying glass; Gil C/Shutterstock
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