Fact Check: "Trump's administration temporarily halted new visa interviews for foreign students."
What We Know
In May 2025, the Trump administration issued a directive halting the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students. This decision was made as the administration prepared to expand social media vetting for visa applicants. According to a memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. embassies were instructed not to add any new appointments for student or exchange visitor visas until further guidance was provided (BBC, AP News). The suspension did not affect applicants who already had scheduled interviews, which were allowed to proceed (AP News).
The move was part of a broader crackdown on international students, which included revoking the ability of certain universities, like Harvard, to enroll foreign students (BBC, AP News). The administration's actions were framed as necessary for national security, with officials emphasizing the importance of vetting applicants thoroughly (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that the Trump administration temporarily halted new visa interviews for foreign students is supported by multiple credible sources. The BBC and AP News both report that the State Department's decision was officially communicated through a memo, indicating a clear administrative action rather than speculation or rumor.
The sources also provide context regarding the implications of this suspension, noting that it was part of a larger strategy to enhance social media vetting for visa applicants. This aligns with previous policies under the Trump administration, which had already increased scrutiny of visa applicants, including social media reviews (AP News).
Critically, the reliability of the sources is high. The BBC and AP News are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking protocols. They provide detailed accounts of the directive, including quotes from government officials, which adds credibility to the information presented.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump's administration temporarily halted new visa interviews for foreign students" is True. The evidence from reputable news sources confirms that the administration did issue a temporary suspension of new visa interviews as part of a broader initiative to enhance vetting procedures.
Sources
- US halts student visa appointments and plans expanded social ... - BBC
- US pauses scheduling visa interviews for foreign students | AP News
- Trump administration halts scheduling of new student visa ... - Reuters
- U.S. stops scheduling visa interviews for foreign students - NPR
- Trump team pauses new student visa interviews as it weighs expanding ... - Politico
- Trump administration pauses new student visa interviews - NBC News
