US asks embassies to suspend new student visa interviews

The US Secretary of State has directed consular agencies worldwide to temporarily suspend scheduling student visa interviews while they study and implement social media checks on visa applicants.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio - Photo: REUTERS

According to Reuters news agency on May 27, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce responded to the press about the information that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has just directed global consular agencies to temporarily suspend issuing new appointments for student or cultural exchange visa interviews.

The above information comes from Mr. Rubio's internal telegram, which was made public by many major US press agencies such as Politico and Reuters a few hours earlier.

In this document, the US Secretary of State explained that this is a temporary policy while the State Department studies the addition of a social media check step for applicants for student and cultural exchange visas.

At a regular press conference, Ms. Bruce refused to comment directly on the telegram, but emphasized that the US will use "every tool" to screen those who want to enter the US.

"We will continue to use every measure possible to assess people entering the country, whether they are students or anyone else," Ms. Bruce said at a regular press conference.

Mr. Rubio also said that this policy will be maintained until the study is completed and the implementation guidelines are issued. There is currently no specific timeline for this process.

The dispatch stated: "The Department is reviewing current practices and procedures related to screening and vetting of student and exchange (F, M, J) visa applicants.

Based on the results of this review, the ministry plans to issue guidance on expanding social media activity checks to all applicants in the above categories."

The dispatch also stressed that expanding social media screening would require consular departments to adjust their operations, processes, and resource allocations, and advised them to consider the workload and resources required on a case-by-case basis before scheduling appointments.

In addition, Mr. Rubio also asked consular departments to continue to prioritize providing services to US citizens, reviewing immigration visas and preventing fraud.

The move comes as the Trump administration steps up deportations and visa cancellations of international students to further its hardline immigration agenda.

Back to topic

NGOC DUC

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/my-yeu-cau-cac-dai-su-quan-tam-dung-phong-van-visa-du-hoc-moi-20250528081700511.htm