By Redaction ARPS Media
The US government has stopped new student visa interviews to improve social media checks for international applicants, according to a memo from the State Department. Existing appointments will still go ahead until further notice. This change aims to enhance social media screening, but specific details are not provided.
This policy change comes amid criticism from former President Donald Trump, who has accused US universities of allowing antisemitic behavior. The Department of Homeland Security has noted that such online content might affect immigration decisions.
China has raised concerns about the rights of international students, who make up a large portion of the student body in the US. Universities that depend on fees from international students are likely to oppose this new policy, with some already involved in legal disputes over similar matters.
Trump has targeted schools like Harvard, trying to cut federal funding, but some of these efforts have been blocked by courts. Free speech advocates warn that these actions could threaten constitutional protections and harm the global reputation of US higher education.
