Foreign students applying to study in the United States may soon face social media scrutiny under a new directive from the Trump-led administration. This change was reported after a cable signed on Tuesday was obtained by media sources.

In preparation for the upcoming social media vetting requirements, the administration is instructing US embassies and consular sections to pause the scheduling of new interviews for student visa applicants. This pause has significant implications for many international students, particularly from Africa—and especially Nigerians—who view the US as an academic haven. It also stands to impact numerous universities that depend on foreign students to strengthen their financial sustainability.

The cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, states: “Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days.” “Septel” refers to “separate telegram,” a term used within the State Department.

This intensified crackdown emerges in the wake of recent reports detailing the unexplained revocation of visas for dozens of foreign students. Previously imposed social media screening measures had primarily targeted students returning from a brief leave who may have been involved in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

While the new directive lacks specific guidelines for social media vetting, it echoes prior executive orders designed to enhance national security by preventing the entry of potential terrorists and addressing issues of antisemitism. Notably, these regulations have been applied with particular scrutiny to Harvard University, which is currently in a contentious funding dispute with the US government.