The latest Trump administration move comes amid a wider pressure campaign against top universities and student targets.
According to an internal memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump’s administration has temporarily suspended visa processing for foreign students.
Cable, widely reported by US media on Tuesday, ordered the embassy and consulate to not allow reservation capabilities until further guidance is issued for additional student or exchange visas…
The State Department added that it plans to issue “guidance on enhanced social media reviews for all such applications.”
The move is the latest blow to foreigners looking to study in the US as the Trump administration strengthens pressure on universities and students.
The administration revoked Harvard’s approval for registration of Harvard international students last week. The federal judge temporarily blocked the movement.
The suspension of processing also comes as Rubio attempted to revoke hundreds of visas for foreign students, citing minor legal violations and Palestinian speeches or advocacy.
On Tuesday, U.S. State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce didn’t respond directly to cable, but widely said, “We are very serious about the process of judging who is coming to the country.”
“As the president and secretary Rubio said, our goal is to ensure that the people here understand what the law is, that there is no criminal intent and that they contribute to the experience here,” she said.
Bruce added that those applying for a student visa should continue to proceed normally, but should expect higher scrutiny.
“If you are applying for a visa, please follow the normal process and normal procedures. [and] Expect to see it,” she said.
Rubio’s cables did not give a timeline for the suspension, but told diplomatic staff they should receive guidance on “upcoming days.”
Continuous challenges
The Trump administration’s actions on higher education raised awkward constitutional questions about academic freedom and the rights of individuals living in the United States on temporary visas.
Last week, Rubio told U.S. Senate lawmakers that he had cancelled “thousands of visas” since Trump took office on January 20th, but no full accounting has been announced.
Rubio believes that the administration relies on ambiguous laws that maintain widespread powers to eliminate foreigners in the United States, countering the interests of foreign policy in the United States.
Several student lawyers targeted by Rubio on Pro-Palestine’s views, including Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, Mohsen Mahdawi and Badar Khan Suri, have argued that their clients’ freedom of speech is being followed.
Meanwhile, Harvard University also says the Trump administration is violating its rights by cutting funds and revoking its ability to register international students.
U.S. media also reported Tuesday that Trump’s administration is expected to cut off the remaining federal contract with Harvard anytime soon, in the latest escalation.
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