Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered US embassies all over the world to not schedule new interviews for student-visa applicants as the Trump administration considers ramping up vetting of social media profiles.
“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,” Rubio wrote.
This directive was sent out worldwide to diplomats, amid the administration’s efforts to restrict the entry of foreign students in America allegedly over claims stating that they have contributed to an anti-semitic atmosphere.
According to the cable, interviews that have already been scheduled have been permitted to go ahead, as reported by Politico.
Earlier, social media screening had been imposed, but only for students who participated in pro-Palestine protests.
Although the cable does not clearly mention what the future social media vetting would screen for, it implies executive orders that have been aimed against terrorism and anti-semitism.
