The Trump administration on Tuesday reportedly ordered a temporary freeze on all student visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates as it considers rolling out a new social media vetting process for foreign students. According to Politico, the pause was issued through a directive from 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 septel, which we anticipate in the coming days,” it read.
The move comes amid the Trump administration’s efforts to strip Harvard of its authority to admit international students and intensify deportation proceedings against foreign students and graduates who participated in pro-Palestine demonstrations, Just the News reported.
Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminated Harvard University’s participation in the student visa program over what it describes as “pro-terrorist conduct” during campus protests, Fox News Digital has learned.
The decision marks a significant penalty, stemming from Harvard’s alleged refusal to provide DHS with behavioral records related to international students holding visas. “This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” said Secretary Kristi Noem.
“It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused,” she added.
“They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law. Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country,” she noted further.
A federal judge has since paused Noem’s order, allowing Harvard to continue accepting foreign students on visas. At the same time, the Ivy League university has filed a lawsuit after the administration froze billions in government funds to the school over its continued racist admission policies, in violation of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
