WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is pumping the brakes on all foreign student visas and considering whether to vet new applicants based on their social media posts, according to a new report.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered US embassies and consulates on Tuesday to pause any student visa applicant interviews, according to an internal cable obtained by Politico.
“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 [separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days,” the cable read.
Both the State Department and Department of Homeland Security have moved to strip thousands of visas from foreign students in recent weeks with mixed success.
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem moved to kick out nearly 7,000 Harvard University students from foreign countries — but was blocked by a federal judge.
At least 4,000 visas have already been revoked from international students with rap sheets — with charges including arson, wildlife and human trafficking, child endangerment, domestic abuse, DUI and robbery, a senior State Department official previously told The Post.
The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to The Post’s requests for comment Tuesday.
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