The Donald Trump administration has ordered embassies world over to stop scheduling student visas and attest importance to social media vetting of applicants.

In a copy of a memo sent to diplomatic posts on Tuesday, secretary of state Marco Rubio said they would halt the process “until further guidance is issued”.

The message said social media vetting would be stepped up for student and foreign exchange visas, which would have “significant implications” for embassies and consulates.

This comes at the backdrop of the Trump administration’s tussle with elite American universities over student admissions and curb on funds released.

Trump said previously that he believes these universities are too left-wing and that some of them have enabled antisemitism on campus and indulge in discriminatory admissions policies.

The memo also orders cancellation of any unfilled appointments from their calendars for students applying for visas. However, already scheduled appointments will remain unaffected.

In addition, they said that the state department was preparing for an “expansion of required social media screening and vetting” applicable to all student visa applications.

Pro-Palestine protests among other political protests have been seen over the past few months in campuses of US based universities where students participated and included in sloganeering. The Trump administration had already enhanced its vetting of student social media, with a focus on what the administration broadly saw as support for “terrorist activity”.

The process

Foreign students seeking admissions to US varsities are required to schedule interviews at an American embassy in their home country before approval.

No new visa appointments allowed.

Scheduled appointments will continue as usual.

 Inputs from BBC 

Also read: Skipping classes without notice could cost you your visa: US warns foreign students