[Source/Observer Network, Qi Qian] According to reports by Reuters and Politico on May 27, the Trump administration continues to tighten the application of international student visas. It is currently considering requiring all foreign students applying to study in the U.S. to undergo social media screening, and has ordered its overseas missions to suspend the scheduling of visa interview appointments for all students and exchange visitors.

The report stated that if the Trump administration implements this plan, it could severely slow down the processing speed of student visas and may also damage many universities that heavily rely on foreign students to increase their financial revenue.

According to a telegram signed by Secretary of State Rubio on May 27, the Department of State plans to issue new guidelines regarding the social media screening of student and exchange visitor applicants soon, and recommends that already scheduled appointments proceed according to current protocols, but that pending appointments should be canceled.

"In preparation for expanding social media screening and review, starting today, consular sections should not increase any quotas for student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointments until further notice (we expect to release this within the next few days)," the telegram reads.

The telegram also states that expanding social media screening will require consular sections to modify their operations, processes, and resource allocations. It advises departments to consider the workload and resource requirements for each case. The telegram also suggests that consular sections continue to focus on serving U.S. citizens, immigrant visas, and fraud prevention.

The telegram does not directly specify what future social media screening will review, but mentions executive orders aimed at preventing terrorists and combating anti-Semitism. Trump administration officials previously stated that student visa and green card holders might be deported for supporting Palestinians and criticizing Israel, claiming that their actions posed a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of supporting Hamas.

A spokesperson for the Department of State, Tammy Bruce, declined to comment on the aforementioned report but said that the U.S. will use "all means" to review anyone wanting to enter the country. Bruce told reporters at a regular press conference: "We will continue to use all available tools to assess people coming here, whether they are students or others."

Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State U.S. Department of State website

To date, social media platforms such as Facebook and X have not responded to these reports.

Reuters reported that many critics believe this move is an attack on the freedom of speech granted by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

This news has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among the higher education community. The International Association of Educators (NAFSA) condemned the move, calling it an unfair defamation against hardworking students. The association stated: "The idea that embassies have the time and ability to handle this work and that taxpayers' money is being spent this way is highly problematic. International students do not pose a threat to this country; they are an invaluable asset to it."

Previously, a Turkish student from Tufts University was detained for six weeks in an immigration detention center in Louisiana for co-authoring a critical commentary on the university's response to the Gaza war. She was released after a federal judge approved bail.

Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has continued to target international students and colleges.

According to AP, the U.S. government previously revoked the legal status of thousands of international students already in the U.S., causing some to leave due to fears of deportation. After many students successfully filed lawsuits, the government stated it would restore the statuses of these students, but also expanded the reasons for terminating the legal status of international students.

Last week, the Trump administration removed Harvard University's eligibility to admit international students, removing it from the program that allows schools to sponsor foreign student visas. These international students number about 6,800, accounting for 27% of total enrollment. However, this move quickly faced legal challenges and was blocked by a federal judge.

AP pointed out that suspending the issuance of student visas may cause enrollment delays, disrupting the summer and fall admission plans of international students. A decline in international student enrollment may lead to budget losses for universities that rely on tuition from international students to make up for funding shortages.

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7509280493527892519/

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