The US State Department has issued a memo halting new visa appointments for student and exchange visitor programs, including F, M, and J visas, until further notice. This affects potential applicants starting the process, though those with existing appointments can continue. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten immigration policies, including increased social media vetting. Protests erupted at Harvard University opposing these measures and demonstrating support for foreign students amid concerns about funding cuts.
The Department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants, and based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the department plans to issue updated guidance on social media vetting of student and exchange visitor applicants after a review is completed.
The memo also detailed a ramping up of social media vetting for student and foreign exchange visas, affecting applicants from various countries.
Several hundred protesters, including Harvard University students and professors, demonstrated in support of foreign students at the Harvard campus on Tuesday, opposing Trump's efforts.
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