The United State of America, State Department has temporarily halted the scheduling of new student visa interviews worldwide. This shift comes as the federal government ramps up its efforts to implement more strict social media screening for all international student and exchange visa applicants.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently issued a classified cable to American embassies and consulates, instructing them to suspend new visa appointments for categories F, M, and J—which cover academic, vocational, and cultural exchange programs—until further notice.
ALSO READ:
“Effective immediately… consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued,” the directive read.
This policy change is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten vetting for foreign nationals entering the U.S for educational or cultural exchange purposes. Officials cite national security concerns and unease about the political activities of some international students as key motivations.
ALSO READ:
Relief as National Assembly assigns Ksh 5.9 billion to finance school examinations
Existing visa interviews will proceed as planned, but thousands of hopeful applicants now face indefinite delays. Consular staff are in a holding pattern, and no timeline has been provided for when new interviews might resume.
The decision follows recent incidents that have brought attention to the political activism of international students. In one case, Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk was detained after co-authoring an op-ed in support of Palestinian rights. Though she was later released on bail, the situation underscored the administration’s increasing scrutiny of students’ political views.
Secretary Rubio reinforced the administration’s stance, stating: “If you apply for a visa to be a student… and you tell us your goal is not just education but activism that disrupts campuses, we’re not going to give you a visa.”
This development also comes amid rising tensions between the Trump administration and elite universities, notably Harvard. Just prior to the State Department’s announcement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Harvard from enrolling new international students—a move that was later blocked in court.
ALSO READ:
TSC to involve teachers and Unions in new promotion guidelines
Despite that legal setback, the administration continues to escalate pressure. President Trump has threatened to withdraw federal contracts from Harvard, worth an estimated $100 million, and has proposed redirecting research grants away from Ivy League schools.
The government argues that Harvard and similar institutions have failed to sufficiently address anti-Semitism and campus unrest. In a decisive action, DHS, now under Secretary Kristi Noem, cancelled two federal grants totalling $2.7 million that had been awarded to Harvard.
Officials also warned that the university’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) could be revoked if it fails to comply with new federal mandates, including increased reporting on international students linked to unlawful or violent behaviour.
By Cornelius korir
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
