Why Trump Government Has Paused New Student Visa Interviews, What Is Social Media Vetting? Explained

News18

3 days ago

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If foreign students turn away, US higher education could be impacted. Universities like Harvard would be more concerned about the impact on their ability to attract top talent
Student visa applicants have been dealt with a blow after US embassies decided to cancel interviews as Donald Trump's administration prepares a new process that includes social media profile screening.
'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 … in the coming days," a Tuesday diplomatic cable reportedly said, as reported by Politico.
As per TIME, State Department spokesperson would not confirm the cable, but said that the 'scheduling of non-immigrant visa interview appointments is dynamic" and that 'every visa adjudication is a national security decision."
The spokesperson also noted that students may continue to submit visa applications and that consular sections are constantly adjusting their schedules to allow for sufficient time to fully vet the cases before them.
What To Know About The Order?
A US official, who did not reveal his name, told the Associated Press (AP) that the pause is 'temporary", and only applies to new visa interviews. Already scheduled visa interviews will go ahead.
Trump increased scrutiny of applicants, including social media vetting, during his first term—a policy that continued through the Biden Administration. Earlier this year, the State Department also made changes to social media screening requirements, aimed at students who had participated in pro-Palestinian campus protests last spring.
Though the State Department has not mentioned any specific social media criteria for student visa rejection, the cable reportedly referred to Trump's executive orders related to terrorism and anti-semitism.
'If you tell me that you're coming to the United States to lead campus crusades, to take over libraries, and try to burn down buildings … we're not going to give you a visa," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on May 20.
What Is Social Media Vetting?
Social media vetting involves the collection and analysis of visa applicants' online activity to assess potential security risks.
Under policies implemented during the Trump administration, applicants are required to provide social media handles used over the past five years, along with other personal information. This data is used to evaluate applicants' backgrounds and affiliations.
The administration asks for your social media handles from the last five years and review public content. For visas, it's part of background checks; for jobs, it's often during hiring.
Since 2019, the US State Department has required applicants to disclose their social media handles used in the last five years, with expanded measures in 2025.
The move will help detect inconsistencies or fraudulent information in applications. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) established a Social Media Division in 2016 to look for immigration fraud, verifying work, travel, and family histories against online activity.
What Does The Typical Social Media Vetting Process Include?
Applicants, especially for visas, must provide social media identifiers over the past five years as part of forms like the DS-160 for non-immigrant visas. For employment, employers may ask for written consent to review public profiles.
Reviewers analyse public content for red flags, such as posts endorsing terrorism, anti-semitic activity, or unprofessional behaviour. As per the 2025 US State Department cable, reported on May 28, 2025, reported by India Today, reviewing for 'public approval or public advocacy for terrorist activity".
Social media vetting must comply with privacy laws, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in the US, ensuring only public information is reviewed and no passwords are requested.
How US Universities Could Be Affected
If international students turn away, the impact on US higher education could be severe. Universities like Harvard are likely to be more concerned about the impact on their ability to attract top talent than on their endowments, as per TIME.
The vetting process will increase administrative delays. Students may miss enrollment deadlines, defer admissions, or shift to countries with more predictable visa processes (e.g., Canada, the UK, Australia).
Students may censor their online speech, impacting the open exchange of ideas that is central to university life. Faculty may also feel constrained when engaging with politically sensitive topics if they fear repercussions for their students.
Universities may need to provide additional legal and counselling services to support international applicants navigating the visa process, adding operational costs.
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