1 day ago
Last Updated:May 27, 2025, 23:24 IST
US considering new checks on social media profiles of applicants, citing national security risks
In this representative AI-generated image, foreign students look dismayed outside shuttered gates of US universities, as a cartoon-style Donald Trump looms in the background. (IMAGE: DALLE 3 AI ENGINE)
US embassies have been ordered to temporarily stop scheduling interviews for student visa applicants, as Washington considers stricter scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity, news agency Bloomberg said in a report.
The directive came in a cable issued Tuesday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, signalling a possible shift in how the US vets foreign students seeking admission into American universities.
The move is the latest in a series of steps by the Trump administration to tighten entry of international students, citing concerns over national security and the spread of antisemitic views.
Most Indian students who go to the United States for higher education apply for the F-1 visa, which is meant for full-time academic study at accredited institutions. Those enrolled in vocational or non-academic programs may apply for an M-1 visa. The visa process typically involves securing admission, paying the SEVIS fee, and appearing for an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:News world US Halts Student Visa Interviews As Trump Administration Mulls Tighter Social Media Checks: Report
