State Department Instructs US Embassies to Pause Student Visa Interviews

WASHINGTON—The U.S. State Department ordered American embassies worldwide to pause student visa interviews effective May 27, a senior department official confirmed to The Epoch Times. The temporary suspension, outlined in an internal cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is part of the department’s effort to strengthen the vetting process, particularly in relation to social media screening. The internal cable directs consular sections not to add any appointment slots for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories) “until further guidance is issued” in the coming days. The senior official confirmed the authenticity of the internal communication leaked to the media on the morning of May 27....