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.
During a press briefing that same day, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce emphasized the department's commitment to screening visa applications, without commenting directly about the leaked cable.
"We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country," she told reporters.
When asked what has changed in the vetting system, Bruce declined to reveal details of the methods used.
"We're not going to lay out here with the media, the nature of the steps that are taken, the methods that we use," she said.
"We've always vetted people trying to come in. We've always looked at visas seriously," she said, questioning why it had become such a controversial issue.
"Whether they be students, or if you're a tourist who needs a visa, or whoever you are, we're going to be looking at you."
Bruce also declined to say whether the pause would delay foreign students' arrival for the fall semester. "I can't speak about what the individual experience will be."