'We're going to be looking at you': US State Dept plans to use 'every tool' to conduct strict vetting for student visas

The US State Department has announced that the vetting process for visa after scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students hoping to study in the United States were halted amid plans to expand the screening of their activity on social media.

Addressing a press briefing, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the country will continue to vet whether a student or a tourist needs a visa.

"We do know, though, that we take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country, and we're going to continue to do that. We're going to continue to vet. Whether you're a student or a tourist who needs a visa, or whoever you are, we're going to be looking at you. Why would it seem to be such a controversial thing that's going on? But it shouldn't be," Tammy Bruce said.

ALSO READ: International students across the US are seeing their visas revoked


Previously, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered US embassies and consular offices to stop scheduling new visa interviews for student applicants as the Donald Trump administration is considering strict vetting of applicants' social media profiles, reported TOI.

Also Read: US pauses new student visa interviews amid plans for social media screening

What will social media vetting include?
The expanded social media vetting will require consular sections to modify their operations, processes and allocation of resources, reported Reuters citing the cable, which advises the sections going forward to take into consideration the workload and resource requirements of each case before scheduling them.

#WATCH | On the student visa issue, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce says, "...We don't speak about individual visa cases. We don't speak about the nature of the choices made about individuals. We do know, though, that we take very seriously the process of vetting who… pic.twitter.com/pMoxMj5V8V

— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2025

The cable also advises consular sections to remain focused on services for U.S. citizens, immigrant visas and fraud prevention.

ALSO READ: Donald Trump wants to take $3 billion of Harvard University and give it away to trade schools


Trump administration officials have said student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas.

Tammy Bruce further mentioned that the steps taken by the Trump administration might come off as "counterproductive" but she emphasised it is essential to make sure people coming to US understand its law.

"We're not going to lay out here with the media, the nature of the steps that are taken, the methods that we use that would seem to be a little bit counterproductive, perhaps, but it is a goal, as stated by President Trump and Secretary Rubio to make sure that people who are here and understand what the law is, that they don't have any criminal intent, that they are going to be contributors to the experience here, whether however short or long their stay is, and so the details of which I won't reveal. But it's one that will hopefully achieve our understanding of who deserves to visit this country and who does not," she said.

Last week, the Trump administration moved to revoke Harvard's ability to enroll international students. Those roughly 6,800 students make up about 27% of Harvard's total enrollment.