The United States has stated that it is using “every tool in our tool chest” to vet individuals seeking entry into the country, including international students. This comes amid reports that the Trump administration has directed U.S. embassies and consulates abroad to pause scheduling new student visa interviews as it considers implementing mandatory social media vetting for all student visa applicants.
According to media reports in the US, the administration is preparing to require foreign students applying to study in the U.S. to undergo enhanced screening of their online presence. In anticipation of the new policy, a State Department cable dated May 27 and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructs consular sections not to add new visa appointment slots for F, M, or J visa categories until further guidance is issued.
At a briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to confirm or deny the reported policy, suggesting any such information would have come from leaked material. However, she emphasised that visa vetting has always been a serious matter.
“Every sovereign nation has the right to know who is coming in, why they are coming, and what their intentions are,” Bruce said. “This isn’t new. We’ve always used all available tools to assess those entering the country—whether students or others.”
Asked about the pause, Bruce said she couldn’t comment on individual experiences but reiterated the importance of the vetting process. “The visa process exists precisely so we can pause and assess each applicant. It’s a reminder that we are taking this very seriously.”
She further said that the administration’s goal is to ensure that all visitors understand and respect U.S. laws, have no criminal intent, and contribute positively during their stay.
The move has raised concerns within academic and immigrant advocacy communities. Ajay Bhutoria, a former member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, called the decision alarming—particularly for Indian students hoping to begin studies in Fall 2025.
“While I support robust security screening, this pause could create serious backlogs, threatening the educational goals of thousands of Indian students,” he said. Bhutoria pointed out that over 270,000 Indian students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024 alone, highlighting the importance of the India-U.S. academic exchange.
He also noted a 38 percent decline in F-1 visas issued to Indian students between January and September 2024, along with persistent visa appointment shortages since March 2025. “Further delays could result in deferred admissions, financial hardship, and emotional stress,” he warned.
He urged the State Department to prioritise student visa processing by increasing consular staffing, expediting appointments, and providing clarity on the new vetting process. He also called on Congress to demand transparency about the pause’s scope and impact.
The administration’s approach follows another controversial action: the Department of Homeland Security had recently revoked Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. This prohibits Harvard from enrolling new international students and forces current ones to transfer or lose their legal status.
DHS accused the university of fostering an “unsafe campus environment” due to alleged tolerance of “anti-American, pro-terrorist” activism, specifically citing threats and harassment directed at Jewish students.
According to media reports, the administration had already begun targeting returning international students involved in campus protests over Gaza, with some visas revoked and deportation orders issued. The latest move signals an expansion of that crackdown, now potentially affecting all future student visa applicants.
How far the decision affects those from India wanting to study in the US remains to be seen. The impact is expected to be seen in the next couple of months.
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