Is America closing its doors to foreign students? -

By Daisy Okiring

The United States has halted new student visa appointments worldwide as the Trump administration prepares to ramp up social media vetting of international applicants.

In a diplomatic memo seen by CBS News, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed all embassies and consulates to immediately stop scheduling new student and foreign exchange visa interviews. The order will remain in effect “until further guidance is issued,” according to the State Department.

The directive marks a dramatic tightening of immigration policy and comes amid rising tensions between the Trump administration and elite American universities, which the president accuses of harboring leftist ideologies and promoting antisemitism under the guise of activism.

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“The pause will allow the department to prepare for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting,” the memo said, warning that the changes will have “significant implications” for embassies and consulates processing visa applications.

Existing student visa appointments will be honored, but all unfilled future slots are to be removed from embassy schedules.

Foreign students seeking to study in the US must undergo an in-person interview at their local US embassy before securing a visa. These students are a vital revenue source for many American universities, which charge higher tuition for international enrolment.

“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,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Tuesday.

The move adds to a series of controversial steps taken by the Trump administration, including freezing hundreds of millions of dollars in university funding, attempting to deport foreign students, and revoking thousands of student visas — actions that have faced repeated legal pushback.

Harvard University has become a central target of Trump’s criticism. Last week, the administration attempted to revoke Harvard’s authorization to host international students and researchers. A federal judge swiftly blocked the move, calling it potentially unconstitutional.

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Trump has accused universities of allowing pro-Palestinian protests to turn into platforms for antisemitic rhetoric, while academic institutions claim the administration is infringing on free speech and academic independence.

If allowed to proceed, the visa and vetting restrictions could severely disrupt university operations and international academic exchange, with long-term consequences for US global education leadership.