US halts new student visa interviews amid plan to expand social media checks

The US government has instructed embassies worldwide to stop scheduling new student visa interviews, citing plans to tighten social media screening for international applicants.

A State Department memo indicates that embassies and consulates should remove unscheduled appointments for student and exchange visitor visas. Interviews already on the calendar will proceed. The halt remains in effect until new guidance is issued.

Officials say…