According to media reports, a State Department cable dated May 27, 2025, which has not been released publicly, instructs U.S. embassies and consulates to pause the scheduling of all new interviews for student or exchange visitor (F, M and J) visa applications, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting.
No official details of the pause or the new social media vetting have been published.
Foreign nationals holding F, M or J status are advised to avoid travelling out of the United States without considering the possible immigration consequences.
Background
On April 9, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began considering aliens’ antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests. This will immediately affect foreign nationals applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and foreign nationals affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.
This policy is consistent with the executive orders on Combatting Anti-Semitism, Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism and Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.
Under this guidance, USCIS will consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefit requests.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.