Overview

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed embassies and consulates to halt scheduling new F, M and J visa interviews effective immediately pending further instructions.
• Guidance under development will extend social media vetting to every international student applicant, building on measures targeting pro-Palestinian protesters.
• The policy escalation follows a DHS effort to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students, a move a federal judge has temporarily blocked.
• Higher education groups warn the delay threatens universities that depend on more than $43.8 billion in annual spending by international students.
• Legal experts and academic associations expect court challenges, arguing the measures could chill free speech and deter global talent.