Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Trump administration has announced a new phase in its tightening of immigration policy, specifically targeting international students.

According to a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, all U.S. embassies and consulates have been instructed to temporarily suspend new interview appointments for student and exchange visas (F, M, and J categories) until further notice.

Mandatory Social Media Screening

A central feature of the new policy is the mandatory screening of social media activity for all student visa applicants. Consular officers are now required to review applicants’ online presence — including posts, likes, and follows — for signs of “hostile attitudes toward U.S. citizens, the government, or American culture.”

Particular scrutiny is given to content criticizing U.S. foreign policy, expressing support for Palestinian movements, or participating in protests against Israeli actions in Gaza.

To enforce the policy, a new artificial intelligence-driven program called Catch and Revoke has been introduced to monitor the online activity of international students. Since its implementation, more than 300 visas have reportedly been revoked based on suspected “anti-national activity.”

Impact on Universities and Students

These measures have sparked concern among American universities, many of which rely heavily on international student enrollment.

Harvard University, where foreign students make up over a quarter of the student body, has faced a freeze on new international admissions and the suspension of $2.2 billion in federal funding.

In response, Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, arguing that the policy violates academic freedom and discriminates on political grounds.

Experts warn that heightened scrutiny could lead to a decline in international student numbers, negatively impacting both the U.S. economy and research ecosystem.

According to the Institute of International Education, international students contributed over $48 billion to the U.S. economy and supported around 500,000 jobs during the 2023–2024 academic year.

Human Rights Concerns and Legal Challenges

Human rights organizations, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), have raised alarms over potential violations of free expression and privacy rights. They argue that requiring disclosure of social media information may lead to self-censorship, particularly among applicants from authoritarian countries who fear reprisals for their opinions.

In 2019, the Trump administration had already introduced a rule requiring all visa applicants to provide social media account information from the previous five years. Although this requirement was challenged in court, a federal judge ruled in 2023 that foreign nationals do not enjoy the same constitutional protections as U.S. citizens.

The policy’s broader implications continue to be debated, with advocates warning of its chilling effect on academic exchange and international cooperation.