President Donald Trump has ordered all new appointments for student/visitor visa applicants to stop immediately, likely in an attempt to allow the administration to more thoroughly investigate foreign students via social media. The news comes from a cable first reported by Politico, and did not provide specific direction as to how social media would be vetted.
Per the cable, which has been confirmed by a senior State Official, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said already-scheduled appointments may continue, but every new appointment to obtain a visa will be blocked.
This news comes on the heels of Trump blocking international students from enrolling at Harvard, following protests at the college that made it the sitting president’s new focal point for setting an example of his political opponents in front of an increasingly tense nation.
Trump’s attempts at silencing dissenters have been continuously met with further protests, as well as a federal judge who blocked the efforts by granting Harvard a temporary restraining order. That same person, United States District Judge Allison D. Burroughs is also leading Harvard’s first ever lawsuit, which is suing the Trump administration over its multi-billion dollar budget cut.
In an interview with ABC News, the CEO of the Association of International Educators, Fanta Aw, reminded the public that international students make up less than 5.9% of college enrollment in the United States. Aw further elaborated the consequences that this kind of fear stokes in the long term, both in and out of the collegiate sphere.
While news breaks daily regarding the ongoing fight of Trump’s administration and numerous judges and voters, many educators in the U.S are warning international students to not travel abroad, for fear that they may not be let back into the country.
For those vulnerable, it is important to know that international students do have rights in the U.S. At all times, international students have due process rights, the right to remain silent, the right to consult an attorney, and the right to appear before an immigration judge.
*Liv Lyons has been an editor for the Thunderword since 2023. Their short story blog, “Loser Pulp“, is released twice a month.