Trump administration tightens student visa guidelines
The Trump administration is halting new visa appointments for foreign students. The State Department is preparing to tighten verification, which is part of a broader immigration policy.
What do you need to know?
- Halting visa appointments: American diplomatic missions abroad have been instructed to halt new appointments with foreigners applying for student visas. This action is part of the Trump administration's immigration policy.
- Increased verification: The State Department is reviewing current visa procedures and plans to introduce more stringent guidelines for verifying foreign students.
- Political implications: Critics argue that revoking visas might be related to the political views of students, raising concerns about the violation of freedom of speech.
What are the new State Department guidelines?
The administration of President Donald Trump has ordered American diplomatic missions to halt new appointments with foreigners applying for student visas.
"The State Department prepares to expand social media vetting of foreign students," Reuters reported. The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced that the department would issue updated guidelines after the review.
What are the consequences for foreign students?
These actions may affect thousands of foreign students who planned to study in the U.S. Politico notes that already initiated discussions with foreigners can continue according to the current guidelines. However, available slots should be retracted, which may delay the visa acquisition process.
Does the visa policy affect freedom of speech?
Critics argue that revoking visas might be related to the political views of students, raising concerns about the violation of freedom of speech. According to critics, this is an attack on the right to freedom of speech, protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
An example is a Turkish student who was detained in an immigration detention centre after criticising Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.
