Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration is weighing requiring all foreign students applying to study in the United States to undergo enhanced social media vetting — a significant expansion of previous such efforts, according to a cable obtained by POLITICO. In preparation for such required vetting, the administration is ordering U.S. embassies and consular sections to temporarily pause adding additional F, M, and J “visa appointment capacity” until it issues further guidance, expected “in the coming days,” according to the cable, dated May 27 and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The following is a statement by Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators in response:
“This latest action by the Trump administration is another misguided and deeply troubling attack against international students—adding to a long list that includes arrests, visa revocations, SEVIS terminations, and threatening their very ability to enroll in certain U.S. institutions.
International students already represent the most tracked and vetted category of nonimmigrants in the United States. It is a poor use of taxpayer dollars to devote resources to screening students who are already subject to extensive background checks, while business visitors and tourists are not tracked at all.
“If the administration believes enhanced scrutiny is necessary, it should be applied uniformly—not selectively to students who have long contributed to American classrooms, communities, and cutting-edge research. Moreover, there is no urgent justification to halt visa appointments while internal policy updates are considered. This only adds unnecessary delays, fuels uncertainty, and damages our reputation as a welcoming destination for global talent.
“International students and scholars are tremendous assets that contribute to U.S. preeminence in innovation, research, and economic strength. Undermining their ability to study here is self-defeating. With these actions, the United States will alienate the very minds that fuel its success.
“We urge the administration to reverse this course and uphold a policy environment that reflects our national interest.”
Background on Government Scrutiny of Digital Footprint and Social Media
The administration had earlier imposed some social media screening requirements, but those were largely aimed at returning students who may have participated in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The cable doesn’t directly indicate what future social media vetting would screen for, but it alludes to executive orders that are aimed at keeping out terrorists and battling antisemitism. More information is available on NAFSA’s website.