In its statement, the State Department suggested the pause was a part of the ordinarily “dynamic” scheduling of interviews for such visas. The department said it bases visa timelines on what the officers need for sufficient vetting, in compliance with U.S. law and “to ensure applicants do not pose a security or safety risk to the United States.” Mr. Rubio issued a cable on March 25 that told consular officers to scrutinize the social media content of some applicants for student and other types of visas. That directive said that officers need to refer certain student and exchange visitor visa applicants to the “fraud prevention unit” for a “mandatory social media check.” In recent months, Mr. Rubio has spoken about canceling student visas, revoking permanent residency status (“green cards”) and scrutinizing the social media history of foreign visitors, mainly in the context of outrage around Israel’s war in Gaza.

The Trump administration on Tuesday reportedly issued a blanket pause on the scheduling of student visa interviews at embassies and consulates while it mulls the implementation of social media vetting for foreign students. The interim pause came via an order from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Politico reported. “Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days,” it read.

The Trump administration has been taking moves to scrutinize foreign students amid concerns over national security and antisemitism. The administration has reportedly already taken measures to screen returning students’ social media content for connections to protests or movements critical of U.S. allies, Politico reported. Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attempted to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students, citing the institution’s “toxic” environment. “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments,” a statement from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said.