State Department Halts Student Visa Interviews for Enhanced Social Media Screening

The U.S. State Department is hitting the brakes on new student and exchange visitor visa interviews, opting instead to beef up social media vetting for applicants. This move, part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown, aims to ensure no national security threats slip through the cracks. Why the pause? They’re gearing up for a deeper dive into applicants’ online lives, scrutinizing posts for any red flags.

The policy shift follows accusations that some students, particularly those vocal about Palestine, may sympathize with groups like Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been vocal about revoking visas for those involved in pro-Palestine campus protests, emphasizing that a visa is a privilege, not a right. Since January, thousands of visas have reportedly been pulled, with more to come.

Consular offices are now on standby, instructed to halt new appointments until updated guidelines on expanded social media checks are issued. Existing appointments will proceed, but unscheduled slots are being yanked. Some applicants will face mandatory Fraud Prevention Unit reviews, though details on what these beefed-up social media checks entail remain murky.

Critics, like Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), argue this approach tramples on due process, calling it an attack on liberty. Meanwhile, the administration ties the effort to executive orders targeting national security and antisemitism, aiming to screen out risks from high-threat regions. It’s a tightrope walk—balancing security with fairness in a polarized climate.