Letter to State Department regarding student interview pause

Dear Secretary Rubio,

On behalf of the American Council on Education and the undersigned higher education associations, we write to express deep concern regarding the recent announcement that U.S. embassies and consular sections are pausing new student visa interviews to prepare for additional social media screening and vetting.1 This pause would greatly impede the ability of international students already admitted to our institutions for the summer and fall 2025 semesters to enter the country in a timely manner and pursue their studies. As we have previously communicated, we stand ready to work with federal officials to address security concerns regarding any international students. However, we are concerned that imposing a broad pause on all student visas would send a message that our nation no longer welcomes talented students and scholars from other countries. Such a pause will also hinder our ability to compete for the world’s best and brightest minds to study in the United States.