Washington, May 29 (V7N) – The Trump administration has ordered all U.S. embassies and consulates to indefinitely suspend appointments for student visa applications, pending the implementation of new social media screening protocols.

The decision was reported by the Associated Press on Wednesday, citing senior U.S. officials. The State Department, in a statement signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, confirmed that official guidance on expanded social media vetting for visa applicants is currently being finalized.

“Until the new screening measures are in place, no student visa appointments are to be scheduled,” the statement reads. The policy shift is expected to significantly affect thousands of international students preparing to study in the United States for the upcoming academic year.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said, “We use all relevant systems to screen visa applicants. We will continue to do our best to evaluate who is coming here, whether they are students or others.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last month announced that it would begin screening some visa applicants, including students, for signs of anti-Semitic behavior or support for physical harassment of Jewish individuals, with a particular focus on social media activity.

CBS News reported that this directive is part of a broader push by the administration to tighten oversight of foreign students, particularly in the wake of rising tensions on American campuses over pro-Palestinian activism. Some students have already faced threats of deportation over their political views, according to rights groups.

The Trump administration has also issued stricter compliance checks to ensure student visa holders maintain their academic status and do not engage in activities deemed inconsistent with their visa terms.

Critics, including civil liberties organizations and education advocates, have raised alarms over what they call politically motivated targeting of students and suppression of free speech. Many universities have expressed concern over the potential impact on their international student populations and research programs.

As of now, the timeline for resuming student visa processing remains unclear, and affected applicants are being advised to monitor updates from their respective U.S. embassies.

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