It seems U.S. President Donald Trump does not want foreign students coming to study in America. The first blow came when Harvard University was told it could no longer host foreign students — although that decision was later put on hold by a court order. Now, in a fresh move, the U.S. has suspended all new visa interviews for international students.
Sayantika Bandopadhyay, Reporter – The United States has halted in-person interviews for student visa applicants. All U.S. embassies around the world have been instructed not to release new interview schedules for student visa processing. This directive was issued by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. As a result, many international students who had worked hard and dreamed of studying in the U.S. are now facing a major setback.
President Trump appears determined to curb the entry of foreign students into American educational institutions. According to the notification signed by Rubio, there will now be strict surveillance on social media activity. Therefore, both student and exchange visitor visas have been temporarily suspended. The U.S. administration will assess whether any social media posts by applicants pose a threat to national security. In other words, only if a student’s social media profile aligns with the expectations of the Trump administration, might they be considered for a visa — though no date has been announced for when interviews might resume.
Until that date is announced, both student and exchange visitor visa interviews are on hold. Additionally, the notice warns that any foreign student who drops out midway through their program or fails to attend classes regularly may have their visa revoked and could be barred from obtaining future visas.
At a press briefing, spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated:
“We will use available technology to scrutinize all visa applications. Whether they are students or others, we must ensure there is no criminal tendency. Regardless of how long the visa is for, applicants must undergo this evaluation. We hope this surveillance will help us determine who is truly eligible to enter the United States.”
The U.S. Embassy in India also posted on X (formerly Twitter) that students must comply with all visa requirements. In 2023, the U.S. Embassy in India issued about 140,000 student visas, a global record. But since Trump returned to office for a second term, restrictions on student visas have increased, leaving many international students worried and uncertain.
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