US halts issuance of student visas for Indonesians, tightens screening
WASHINGTON – The United States government under President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended the issuance of international student visas, including for applicants from Indonesia.
According to a diplomatic cable obtained by CBS News on Tuesday (27/5), Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered all US embassies to stop scheduling new interviews for student visa (F-1) and exchange visitor visa (J-1) applicants.
All unfilled appointments must also be cancelled. However, interviews that have already been scheduled will proceed. The suspension is temporary and will remain in place until further instructions are issued in the coming days.
The diplomatic cable states that the suspension will support the US government in carrying out stricter background checks on students from various countries.
The State Department has acknowledged that this policy will have a “significant operational impact” on US embassies and consulates around the world.
“We are very serious about vetting who enters this country,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce during a press briefing, as reported by CBS News on Friday (30/5).
Bruce stressed that every visa issuance decision is made with national security considerations in mind.
A State Department official added that all non-immigrant visa applicants, including students, will be subject to inter-agency evaluations to ensure there is no threat to US national security or public safety.
This includes social media checks on foreign students. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in April announced it would examine applicants’ social media history for “antisemitic activity and violence against Jewish communities”.
The new policy has sparked tensions between the US government and several higher education institutions.
Recently, the DHS barred Harvard University from admitting new international students.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of “facilitating violence, antisemitism, and collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party”.
Harvard denied the allegations, calling the ban unlawful. A federal court has since blocked the policy.
Additionally, the government has sought to revoke visas or deport students who are actively involved in pro-Palestinian movements.
Among them are Columbia University students Mohsen Mahdawi and Mahmoud Khalil, both of whom hold green cards.
The administration cited a law allowing visa revocation when an individual’s actions pose “adverse foreign policy consequences”.
However, the students’ legal team argues that the move violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects freedom of speech.
DHS has also reportedly attempted to strip legal status from thousands of other foreign students, most for minor legal infractions. This effort, too, has been blocked by a federal court. (EF/KR/ZH)