President Donald Trump's administration has ordered a temporary ban on student visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, while it plans to expand applicant verifications on social media platforms.
The news was announced through an internal State Department memo, obtained by CBS News.
In the official document, Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed diplomatic missions to "delete all incomplete student visa applications until further notice," underlining that the move is part of a broader security and control policy.
This decision has sparked immediate reactions, especially among students and renowned American universities, which rely significantly on international student enrollment.
At Harvard University, dozens of students protested in support of foreign students and against new restrictive policies.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said that "the United States will use every means to ensure that those entering the country through the visa system are rigorously vetted," confirming plans to expand mandatory social media checks to all applicants for student and cultural exchange visas.