Topline
The Trump administration has paused interviews of new student visa applicants as it weighs a social media vetting rule, Politico reported—indicating President Donald Trump could be eyeing a broader crackdown on international students after he banned them from Harvard.
President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the National Memorial Day Observance at the Memorial … More
Key Facts
Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a cable dated Tuesday directed all U.S. embassies and consulars not to schedule new interviews as the administration preps “for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting,” according to the record obtained by Politico.
It’s unclear what the additional screening would entail, but the cable indicates it could target terrorism and antisemitism, according to Politico, which reported existing social media vetting protocols are aimed at students involved in pro-Palestinian protests.
When asked if foreign students should be concerned their visas won’t be processed in time for the upcoming school year, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters in a press briefing Tuesday “we take very seriously the process of vetting who it is who comes into the country,” adding “we have always vetted people trying to come in . . . it seems to be such a controversial thing that’s going on but it shouldn’t be.”
Bruce declined to detail the additional vetting requirements, telling reporters it would be “counterproductive” to discuss them publicly.
Tangent
Trump ordered federal agencies to cancel government contracts with Harvard, worth around $100 million, The New York Times reported Tuesday, as Trump has warred with the university over its refusal to adhere to a list of demands from the Trump administration aimed at rooting out what the administration claims is liberal bias at the school.
Key Background
The Trump administration revoked certification of Harvard’s Student Exchange and Visitor Program last week in a major escalation of its battle with the school, which prohibits it from enrolling foreign students and forces current foreign students to transfer. The move came after the school refused to comply with the government’s request for information “about the criminality and misconduct of foreign students on its campus.” Nearly 7,000 international students were enrolled at Harvard during the 2024-25 school year, accounting for about 27% of the university’s student population. The Trump administration also froze $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard last month over its refusal to comply with the demand list.
What To Watch For
Trump’s ban on international students at Harvard is on hold as Harvard challenges the move in court.
Further Reading
Harvard Barred From Enrolling International Students By Trump Administration (Forbes)
Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Banning International Students At Harvard (Forbes)
Trump Reportedly Moves To Cancel Remaining Federal Contracts With Harvard—Worth $100 Million (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/05/27/trump-pauses-new-student-visa-interviews-report-says/