The Trump administration has ordered a temporary suspension of new student visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. This move could disrupt the plans of thousands of Kenyan students hoping to study in the United States.
The directive, issued via a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, cites preparations for an expansion of social media screening and vetting for all student and exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa applicants.
This policy shift marks a significant escalation in the administration’s immigration and national security strategy, raising concerns about its impact on U.S. universities and the wider economy.
As a result, consular sections have been instructed to halt the scheduling of new interviews with immediate effect and to remove any unfilled appointment slots from their calendars. Previously scheduled interviews may proceed as planned.
Vetting procedures
Furthermore, the United States Department of State is conducting a review of existing vetting procedures and plans to issue updated guidance on expanded social media screening in the coming days.
While the cable does not detail what the enhanced vetting will involve, it references executive orders aimed at countering terrorism and addressing antisemitism, suggesting a focus on identifying perceived ideological or security threats.
This move builds on existing social media vetting practices, which have largely targeted returning students suspected of participating in pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. campuses.
Since March, consular officers have been required to review applicants’ social media for signs of support for “terrorist activity or a terrorist organisation”—a criterion critics argue is overly broad and could encompass expressions of solidarity with causes such as the Palestinian movement.
The new policy would extend this scrutiny to all student visa applicants, potentially examining posts, shares, and comments across platforms like Instagram, X, and TikTok.
Security concerns
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, when asked about the suspension during a Tuesday briefing, emphasised the administration’s commitment to rigorous vetting. “We use every tool in our tool chest to vet anyone who wants to come into this country,” Bruce said. She declined to elaborate on the specifics of the new procedures, citing security concerns.
“It’s a goal, as stated by the President and Secretary Rubio, to ensure that people who are here understand what the law is, that they don’t have any criminal intent, and that they are going to be contributors to the experience here,” she added.
The suspension has sparked alarm within the academic community, particularly as it coincides with broader tensions between the Trump administration and U.S. universities.
The administration has accused elite institutions, such as Harvard and Columbia, of fostering antisemitism and liberal bias. It recently attempted to block Harvard from enrolling international students—a move temporarily halted by a federal judge.
The suspension could further strain universities, many of which rely heavily on international students—who often pay higher tuition fees—to bolster their budgets. According to the National Association of State Facility Administrators (NAFSA) and the Association of International Educators, over 1.1 million international students contributed nearly $44 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 378,000 jobs during the 2023–2024 academic year.
Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA, criticised the policy, arguing it unfairly frames students as security threats. “We have said before that students are not a threat. The way this is framed within a national security lens—as if students are a threat—undermines the facts. We know that students make up no more than six per cent of total enrolment in the United States,” Aw said.
Immigration experts and advocates have also raised concerns about the feasibility and fairness of expanded social media vetting. “It’s unclear, for example, whether posting photos of a Palestinian flag on an X account could trigger additional scrutiny,” a report noted, citing internal State Department complaints about vague guidelines.
Policy risks
Critics argue the policy risks being applied unevenly, potentially targeting applicants based on political views or cultural affiliations. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, highlighted the economic stakes, stating on X that the suspension “threatens nearly $44 billion in economic contributions and over 370,000 jobs across the United States.”
However, some voices advocate for a balanced approach. Kevin O’Leary, a lecturer at Harvard Business School and Trump ally, suggested on Fox Business that vetting should focus on clearing students who intend to contribute to the U.S. economy.
“These students are extraordinary individuals and they don’t hate America,” O’Leary said. “Why don’t we vet them first, check their backgrounds, clear them, and tell them, ‘You graduate Harvard, you’re an engineer or whatever, you stay here, start a business here, and you’ll get funded here—you’ll create jobs here.’”
Legal experts note that targeting students before they enter the U.S. may circumvent First Amendment protections and due process requirements that apply once they are in the country. “By focusing more attention on people before they get to the U.S., they would cut off legal avenues that people would have once they’re in the U.S.,” said Stuart Anderson of the National Foundation for American Policy.
As the Trump administration prepares to roll out its expanded vetting guidelines, the pause on new visa interviews leaves international students in limbo, with many concerned about their ability to secure visas in time for the upcoming academic year.
Ultimately, the move underscores the administration’s broader agenda to tighten immigration controls—but its ripple effects could reshape the landscape of U.S. higher education and its global competitiveness.
– Jeremiah Richu
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