Deadlines for new visas for students and exchange students in the US temporarily postponed.
The U.S. government is introducing stricter scrutiny for foreign students and exchange participants, with the temporary halt of new visa applications for categories F, M, and J in sight. According to "Politico" and CNN, this move seeks to intensify monitoring of applicants' social media activities as part of a broader review of existing screening and vetting processes.
In a statement to the media, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce refrained from commenting on the new reports. However, she made it clear that the department employs every available tool to thoroughly vet anyone seeking entry into the U.S.
The halting of new visa appointments for categories F, M, and J has been directed by the State Department to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, with existing appointments expected to proceed as initially scheduled. These categories cover students, exchange students, and au pairs, among others.
The planned measure aims to expand social media checks on all student and exchange visitor visa applicants, moving beyond the previous focus on students already enrolled in U.S. universities who may have participated in pro-Palestinian protests. Further instructions and criteria for the social media vetting are anticipated in the coming days.
This latest policy update is reflective of the Trump administration's increased focus on immigration policy and concerns about national security. It forms part of a series of actions targeting international students, following recent revocations of student visas and challenges to universities' compliance with federal demands.
- The expansion of social media checks on all student and exchange visitor visa applicants falls under the umbrella of education-and-self-development and general-news.
- The intensified monitoring of students and exchange participants' social media activities, as part of broader visa scrutiny, is in alignment with the Trump administration's increased focus on immigration policy and concerns about national security within the category of general-news.
