Tue May 27 17:21:54 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary of the text:**

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed US embassies globally to halt scheduling new student visa interviews as the Trump administration considers expanding social media vetting of applicants. The directive, intended to prepare for increased screening, temporarily suspends appointment capacity for F, M, and J visa types. Existing appointments will proceed. This move follows earlier social media checks focused on students involved in pro-Palestine protests and aligns with the administration’s focus on combating terrorism and anti-Semitism.

**Here’s a news article rewrite:**

**US Embassies Halt New Student Visa Interviews Amid Planned Social Media Vetting Expansion**

**WASHINGTON D.C.** – The State Department has directed US embassies worldwide to immediately cease scheduling new interviews for student (F and M visas) and exchange visitor (J visa) applicants. The directive, issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, comes as the Trump administration considers a significant expansion of social media screening for those seeking to study in the United States.

According to a cable sent to diplomatic missions globally, the pause in new appointment scheduling is “in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting.” Existing interviews that have already been booked will proceed as planned.

The move raises questions about the criteria that will be used in the expanded social media vetting process. While the cable doesn’t explicitly state the scope of the new screening, it hints at a focus on issues related to counter-terrorism and anti-Semitism, aligning with previous executive orders from the administration.

Prior to this directive, social media checks were reportedly being conducted on a more limited basis, targeting students involved in pro-Palestine protests. The abrupt halt to new interview scheduling suggests a potentially far-reaching expansion of these checks, raising concerns among education advocates about the potential impact on international student enrollment in US universities. The State Department has not yet released further details about the timeline or specific parameters of the expanded social media screening process.

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