The US Administration Monday directed its consulates and embassies worldwide to pause new student visa appointments as it works to expand social media vetting of foreign students who apply to study at American colleges.
Major media outlets including news channels BBC and CNN, while citing a memo sent to American missions, reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the pause in student visa appointments would last “until further guidance is issued”.
At the State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Tuesday: “We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country, and we’re going to continue to do that.”
The new guidance on vetting social media of foreigners applying to study at American colleges will mark a change in President Donald Trump administration’s approach to student visa processing.
The development takes place in the backdrop of massive protests against Gaza war last years and recent measures taken against protestors including cancelling visas of some of them.
U.S. officials say visa is a privilege for students who come to study in the country (usually on F1 visas) and argue that activities of some participants violate the rules and hinder the conduct of Washington’s foreign policy.
