US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered a suspension of student visa processing in the county’s latest swipe at foreign students in the United States of America.
The White House is currently targeting foreign students at American universities, revoking visas, deporting foreigners involved in protests against the war in Gaza, and accusing them of aiding Hamas, a Palestinian militant group.
Marco recently revoked hundreds of visas, and President Donald Trump’s government has since barred Harvard University from admitting non-Americans.
A cable signed by the US Secretary of State and seen by AFP orders embassies and consulates to prevent “any additional student or exchange visa… appointment capacity until further guidance is issued.”
According to the cable, the current administration is also planning to increase vetting of the social media profiles of international applicants to US universities.
This decision is coming after the recent protest by Harvard students against the government. The demonstration was against the government’s announcement of its plans to cancel all remaining financial contracts with the educational institution.
The President was also criticised for Tuesday’s measures, estimated to be worth $100 million, against the institution that has attracted his wrath for refusing to forgo control of curriculum, admissions and research.
“Trump = traitor” read one student’s placard, while the crowd of students chanted in one voice “Who belongs in class today, let them stay,” referring to Harvard’s international students whose status Trump has put in jeopardy by suddenly revoking the university’s accreditation to the country’s Student and Exchange Visitor program.
Meanwhile, the White House has insisted that public money should go to vocational schools that train electricians and plumbers.
It reiterated that Donald Trump is more interested in giving that taxpayer money to trade schools and programs that promote American values, insisting that America needs fewer LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University.
“The president is more interested in giving that taxpayer money to trade schools and programs and state schools where they are promoting American values, but most importantly, educating the next generation based on skills that we need in our economy and our society.
We need more of those in our country, and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University,” Karoline Leavitt said to Fox News.
Folami David is a dynamic journalist who views the world through an analytical lens, translating complex narratives across multiple industries into compelling stories. With an insatiable appetite for information and a keen eye for emerging trends, Folami specializes in uncovering the interconnections between technology, business, culture, and society.
