‘Everything at stake' for Indian students as US pauses visa interviews amid social media vetting plan
This development is the latest in a series of crackdowns by the Trump administration on international students. Last week, the administration ordered a halt to the enrolment of new international students at Harvard University. However, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the move.
A Delhi-based student, who has an interview at the US Embassy this week, called the reports 'a nightmare'. 'Everything is at stake at this moment. Although my interview is on so far, I do not know how things will proceed amid so much uncertainty,' the student said, speaking to ThePrint on condition of anonymity.
New Delhi: Recent reports that the Donald Trump-led United States administration has asked embassies to 'pause scheduling new interviews for student visa applicants' are creating unease among thousands of Indian students set to join US universities this year.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a diplomatic cable Tuesday, asking embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new student visa interviews, Politico reported. The cable reportedly cited potential plans to require all foreign student applicants to undergo social media vetting.
However, so far, there is no official order confirming the policy.
During a press conference later in the evening Tuesday, Tammy Bruce, the spokesperson of the US Department of State, commented that the news reports on the decision likely came from 'leaked material'.
However, Bruce emphasised, 'Every sovereign country has a right to know who is trying to come in, why they want to come in, who they are, what they have been doing, and at least hopefully within that framework determine what they will be doing while they are here.'
If the Trump administration proceeds with the plan, student visa processing may face indefinite delays, potentially causing financial challenges for numerous universities that rely extensively on international students for funds.
An Open Doors Report showed US institutes enrolled 3,31,602 Indian students in the 2023-24 academic year, making India the largest source of international students flocking to the US. Of the 1,126,690 international students in the US, 29.4 percent are Indian students.
Another Indian student aiming for postgraduate studies at an Ivy League university this year also has an upcoming interview at the embassy. Mixed news is pouring in from his peers, giving him significant anxiety.
'A Bangladeshi student's visa was approved, but that is just one case. Everyone else has had their visas put on hold or rejected,' he said, requesting anonymity.
He said that he has so far paid nearly $1,500 in application fees, college acceptance fees, SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fees, and visa application fees. 'Besides, the tuition fee is nearly $101,200 per year, and I am yet to pay it,' the student said. 'All of it feels like a complete waste of time at this moment.'
Students generally pay tuition fees after joining the university and, before that, the college acceptance fees.
Also Read: IMF growth outlook is cautiously optimistic. It seems to leave out impact of larger disruptions in US
Concerns over social media vetting
The Politico report cites a cable stating, 'Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued via a 'septel', which we anticipate in the coming days.'
The term 'septel' is state department shorthand for 'separate telegram'.
The cable reportedly does not specify what future social media vetting would screen for. However, it references executive orders on checking terrorism and antisemitism, according to Politico. Students are very apprehensive about the upcoming social media vetting policy.
A student at Harvard Kennedy School told ThePrint that a senior who returned to the US days ago had to pass a thorough vetting at the airport, including a search of his phone.
'Right now, we do not know which social media likes or comments will get you into trouble. The policy announcement is pending,' the student said during a phone interview, requesting anonymity.
However, Shreya Mishra Reddy, an Indian student enrolled in a leadership development programme at Harvard Business School, stated in a post on LinkedIn that extensive social media screenings for all international students will become part of the process.
'Currently, the departments concerned are conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor visa applicants. The freeze is a further escalation from current screening measures, which have primarily targeted students who participated in pro-Palestinian campus protests,' she said.
Uncertainty despite long, rigorous admission
According to consultants and students, the entire process of admission to a good college in the US may take years of hard work.
Sakshi Mittal, the founder of the education consultancy University Leap, said that students work tirelessly for four years to secure admission to top universities.
'Parents and students invest heavily in SAT preparations, taking coaching classes, and participating in extracurricular activities. For many who finally achieved their dream, the hope of studying in the US feels uncertain now,' Mittal said.
'Some of our students have already secured visa interview slots and received their visas, but others on waitlists or recently admitted are extremely stressed. Many had not applied to alternative universities and are now rushing to apply last-minute to universities in the UK and other countries,' she added. 'On average, parents spend between Rs two crore and four crore for an undergraduate programme at a top U.S. university.'
Mittal also advised some students to defer their admissions if the decision is irreversible, adding that she is hoping for a reversal of the decision soon.
A student set to join a law course at a reputed US university described the visa process as lengthy. She explained that after a US college accepts a student, the student receives a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 to apply for an F-1 or a J-1 visa, respectively. Then, pay the SEVIS fee and complete the online DS-160 visa application form. Then, schedule a visa interview at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate and prepare all necessary documents. These include the passport, I-20 or DS-2019, DS-160 confirmation, SEVIS fee receipt, university admission and invitation letters, financial proof, and academic records.
'The visa appointment happens in two steps—first, the biometric, and then, the actual interview on a separate date. My biometrics are complete. I am anxious and uncertain about my interview scheduled for next week. But I believe that, as with all other decisions of the Trump administration, this will also be revoked, or reverted,' she said, requesting anonymity.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
Also Read: US pushes for direct India-Pakistan talks, 'dealmaker' Trump ready to aid 'pursuit of peace'
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