The American dream just got darker for thousands of international students hoping to study in the United States.
The Trump administration has ordered U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to stop scheduling student visa appointments, a move that could upend the lives of countless young people preparing to pursue their education in America.
But that’s not all.
According to a memo obtained by CBS News, the U.S. State Department is also preparing to expand social media screening for student and exchange visa applicants. The memo warned that the new policy would have “significant implications” for embassies and consulates globally.
In simple terms? If you’re a student applying to study in the U.S., your tweets, Instagram posts, Facebook activity, and TikToks might now play a bigger role in whether you’re granted a visa or not.
And while applicants who already have appointments scheduled may be allowed to proceed, the memo clearly states that no new appointments will be added, at least not until further notice.
What’s Really Going On?
This drastic move comes as part of a larger Trump crackdown on U.S. universities, especially the elite ones. President Trump has accused top schools like Harvard of being “too left-wing” and of failing to combat antisemitism amid recent pro-Palestinian protests on campuses.
He’s not just targeting students. His administration has already:
Frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for universities. Revoked thousands of student visas. Tried to deport foreign students, although many of those actions were blocked in court.
Harvard University, one of Trump’s main targets, recently had $2.65 billion in federal grants frozen, and its ability to host international students and foreign researchers was temporarily revoked before a judge stepped in.
The Digital Dragnet
Now, with social media at the center of U.S. immigration screening, many fear that students are being punished for expressing political views, especially those in support of Palestine.
A report by The Guardian earlier this year linked this new level of vetting to a broader effort to silence pro-Palestinian activism on campuses. In April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security even stated that antisemitic activity on social media and physical harassment of Jewish individuals could now be grounds to deny immigration benefits.
But critics say that opens the door to abuse of power, especially in a country where the First Amendment guarantees free speech.
Global Impact, Local Pain
This policy hits hard. International students make up a huge part of the U.S. higher education system m, not just for academic diversity, but for revenue. Many schools rely on these students, who typically pay higher tuition fees, to stay financially stable.
And for the students themselves, the consequences are devastating.
“I don’t know what to do anymore. I got accepted, I paid my deposit, but now my appointment is canceled,” says Ayo, a Liberian student who was preparing to travel for grad school. “This is bigger than politics. This is people’s futures.”
What Happens Next?
That’s the big question. With visa appointments frozen, social media under surveillance, and foreign students being targeted in a politically charged environment, the U.S. may be sending a loud message to the world: You’re not welcome here right now.
And for countries like Liberia, where many students see U.S. education as a bridge to a better life, this move is more than a policy change. It’s a door being slammed shut.
