US pauses student visa processing amid plans to up social media vetting
Al JazeeraMAY 13
Trump Halts New Student Visa Interviews Across the World
Above: Donald Trump and Marco Rubio during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 30, 2025. Image copyright: Andrew Harnik/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
The enhanced vetting measures are essential safeguards to protect national security and combat antisemitism on campuses. Foreign students who engage in disruptive protests or express support for terrorist organizations abuse their visa privileges and threaten the safety of American educational institutions. The government has both the right and responsibility to carefully screen everyone who plans to enter the country.
Democratic narrative
This policy represents an unprecedented attack on academic freedom and threatens the vital contributions international students make to American universities and the economy. The broad social media screening could lead to arbitrary visa denials based on protected speech and legitimate political expression while severely disrupting the international education system that enriches American institutions.