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People line up in front of the U.S. Embassy in Jongno District, Seoul, on May 23 to apply for U.S. visas. / Yonhap News

The U.S. State Department is moving to make social media screening mandatory for all student visa applicants, according to a report by Politico on May 27. In preparation for the policy rollout, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed American embassies and consulates worldwide to temporarily halt scheduling new interviews for student (F), vocational (M), and exchange (J) visas.

In a diplomatic cable signed by Rubio, the secretary instructed consular offices to “immediately suspend adding new student and exchange visitor visa interviews” until further guidance is issued in a forthcoming telegram. While the cable did not explicitly define the scope of the social media review, Politico interpreted the move as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to combat terrorism and antisemitism, citing an executive order currently under review.

Previously scheduled interviews will proceed as planned, Rubio noted.

This directive follows an earlier cable sent on March 25, in which Rubio ordered overseas consulates to refer certain student and exchange visitor visa applicants to the State Department’s anti-fraud unit for mandatory social media checks. The New York Times reported on April 1, citing two U.S. officials familiar with the communication.

The new screening initiative comes amid increasing pressure from the Trump administration on elite universities like Harvard, which it accuses of fostering or tolerating antisemitism on campus. In response, the administration has threatened to withhold federal funding from such institutions.

Politico warned that if implemented, the expanded vetting could significantly slow the processing of student visas and deal a financial blow to U.S. universities that rely heavily on international students for tuition revenue.

Responding to media inquiries, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, “We take the vetting process for all entrants seriously and will continue to do so. Whether it’s students or tourists, everyone will be subject to review. Some may find this controversial, but it’s necessary, and other countries are taking similar steps seriously.”