As the class of 2029 prepares to travel to College Hill this fall, the Trump administration has ordered U.S. embassies and consular sections to halt the scheduling of interviews for student visa applications, according to an internal U.S. Department of State cable obtained by POLITICO.
The order comes as the federal government considers requiring social media vetting as a part of the student visa application process, according to the Tuesday cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The cable did not specify the specific guidelines for the social media vetting, but mentioned executive orders targeting terrorism and antisemitism.
While a State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the cable, they told The Herald that “the Trump administration is focused on protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.”
“Since 2019, the Department of State has required visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms. We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting,” they wrote.
If the plan continues, it could significantly slow down student visa processing for incoming international students matriculating at U.S. institutions this fall — including at Brown, where about 14% of each undergraduate class are not U.S. citizens.
The incoming class of 2029 is also the first class accepted under need-blind admissions policies for international students.
The University and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Prospective international students can apply for a F or M visa after their enrollment has been accepted by their school of choice, and must present appropriate immigration documentation at their student visa interview. This documentation — often a Form I-20 for F and M visas — is typically only available after being admitted to the school.
While international students can apply for a visa up to 365 days before the start date of a course of study, they are not able to enter the United States more than 30 days before the start date.
Brown advises students to apply for a visa “as far in advance as possible.” The University provides appropriate immigration forms — an I-20 for F-1 visa applicants and DS-2019 for J-1 visa applicants — after incoming international students have been admitted.
On May 20, Brown announced that it would offer legal support for non-U.S. citizen students, faculty and staff members traveling internationally for “essential, Brown-related” purposes, according to a Today@Brown announcement.
The University also established an emergency fund to support international faculty and staff members who are facing “unexpected, unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances connected to their visa status,” wrote Provost Francis Doyle and Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Sarah Latham in the announcement.
The new International Faculty and Staff Emergency Fund fund will include up to $2,000 in one-time funding, which all students and staff can apply for until Dec. 12.
The University’s new legal and funding initiatives for international students come amid the reinstatement of student visas that were terminated earlier this month and after Brown advised them to reconsider travel.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
Hadley Carr is a university news editor at The Herald, covering academics & advising and student government.
