America suddenly stopped issuing new student visas, why?

Axios, NY Post, Politico, Guardian and NBC all quoted the US State Department's text: "The Department is reviewing current practices and procedures for screening and vetting student and exchange (F, M, J) visa applicants. Based on the results of this review, the Department will issue guidance on expanding social media screening to all applicants for these visas."

The dispatch also noted that pre-booked visa interview appointments may continue under current guidance.

This is in preparation for a new US regulation on comprehensive social media checks for foreign students. Previously, the US had imposed some social media checks, but most were aimed at students returning to the US and those who may have participated in protests against the war in the Gaza Strip.

The US suddenly stopped issuing new student visas, what is the reason?

The Guardian, citing a source familiar with the matter, said that under the new screening process, US consular officers will examine visa applicants’ posts, shares and comments on social media platforms such as Instagram, X and TikTok for content deemed to threaten national security.

"We will continue to use every tool available to screen people who come to the United States, whether they are students or anyone else," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said at a press briefing on May 27. She also reassured that if you are planning to apply for a visa, follow the normal process, the normal steps and be prepared to be inspected at any time.

Upon learning that the Trump administration had ordered U.S. diplomatic missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visa applicants, many Vietnamese students were confused and worried that they would miss out on the opportunity to enroll in school next fall.

Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, Director of a study abroad company in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, said that not only students and parents but also most US study abroad consulting centers are worried and waiting for the next decision of the US. The move by the Trump administration to suddenly suspend the issuance of new student visas is to prepare for checking the social networks of international students - something that was previously only optional, not mandatory in the assessment of visa applications to the US.

Since President Trump made an unsettling move towards major universities such as Harvard University and Columbia University, he also predicted that there would be more complicated developments in the coming time. Now, the only thing study abroad consulting units can do is to reassure students, waiting for the next adjustment decision of the US.

With many years of experience in consulting for studying abroad in the US, Ms. Le Mai (37 years old, Cau Giay, Hanoi) said that this policy aims to change the visa approval process for foreign students, which can take a long time. Previously, when applying for a student visa, candidates were required to fill in social network information on the DS-160 form. According to recent moves, the US aims to screen to understand the political views of candidates.

On social networking sites such as Facebook, Threads, study abroad centers and consultants also advise students to stay calm, limit posting sensitive content on social networks and continue to complete their study abroad applications, and prepare well for the interview (if scheduled).

Some centers also advise that if an interview is scheduled, candidates should not cancel or reschedule it on their own because it may not be possible to reschedule in the future.

Study abroad companies are closely following and updating information from the US Embassy and Consulate to support students. Students who have prepared complete documents, or have been issued I-20 from schools in the US, should calmly wait for the latest instructions, while maintaining the initiative in checking visa schedules and updating emails regularly.

Minh Khoi

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/my-dot-ngot-dung-cap-moi-visa-du-hoc-vi-sao-ar945729.html