The Trump administration has instructed U.S. embassies worldwide to temporarily stop scheduling new visa interviews for international students, reports RTE.
According to the State Department, embassies overseas—including in Ireland—have been told to suspend appointments for student and exchange visitor visas under categories like F, M, and J until further notice.
In a cable, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the department is preparing updated instructions related to the social media screening of student and exchange visa applicants, which will be issued once an internal review is completed. In the meantime, consular offices have been told to suspend appointment scheduling, reports RTE.
This decision is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to increase deportations and tighten rules for student visa holders, aligning with its strict immigration policies.
Each year, about 5,000 Irish students participate in the J1 programme during the summer months, reports RTE.
Students who have already completed the visa application process for this year are unlikely to be impacted.
Those who have already secured interview appointments with the embassy are also not subject to the freeze, reports RTE.
However, individuals submitting applications in the coming days may encounter processing delays.
The notice was first reported by Politico, which also stated that all new student visa applicants are expected to face expanded social media screening measures, reports RTE.
While some vetting procedures were previously introduced, they were mainly directed at students who had returned to the U.S. and participated in pro-Palestinian activism.
Just last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs revised its travel advisory for Irish nationals going to the U.S., cautioning of potential “serious consequences” for anyone who fails to comply with border procedures or provides incorrect details, reports RTE.
Authorities have emphasized that violations of U.S. immigration rules could result in being denied entry, held in detention, or even deported.
Critics of Mr. Trump have described the policy as a violation of First Amendment rights, arguing it amounts to an assault on freedom of speech, reports RTE.
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