What is social media vetting for which US paused all student visa interviews?

In a major decision that would leave millions of students worldwide in limbo, the Donald Trump administration ordered a pause on all scheduled interviews for student visa applications. All US embassies and consular sections are being sent a cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The reason for the suspension is an extensive social media vetting, for which the administration first wants to prepare.

“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,” the cable states. (“Septel” is State Department shorthand for “separate telegram.”)

What is social media vetting?

Social media vetting is the process of going through the applicants' social media activities and then weighing in on whether the student should be allowed to study in US universities. This is part of the Donald Trump administration's larger crackdown on international students in reaction to the pro-Palestine protest that rocked the campuses last year. It is the same plan under which the Trump administration sought the records of international students from Harvard University.

The Donald Trump administration earlier imposed some social media screening requirements but those were largely to check the returning students.

The State Department's directive did not elaborate on what type of extensive vetting the administration is planning but it alluded to executive orders that are aimed at keeping out terrorists and battling antisemitism.

For example, Brown University professor Dr Rasha Alawieh was recently deported after the feds checked her phone and found photos of Iran's Supreme leader. Dr Alawieh also attended the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in February.

State Department officials complained privately for months that vetting students has been vague. "It’s unclear, for example, whether posting photos of a Palestinian flag on an X account could force a student to undergo additional scrutiny," a Politico report said.