The Trump administration has ordered a worldwide suspension of new student visa interview appointments, a move that could significantly impact aspiring international students—including many from Ghana.
This decision comes as part of a broader initiative to expand background checks, particularly focusing on applicants’ social media activity.
In an official memo to U.S. embassies and consulates, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the suspension will remain in place “until further guidance is issued.”
The directive affects individuals seeking student and foreign exchange visas, although those who already have scheduled interviews are permitted to continue with their appointments.
Ghanaian students—who must attend in-person interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Accra—are expected to be among the hardest hit. Each year, hundreds of Ghanaian students enroll in American universities, forming an essential part of the U.S.-Ghana academic and cultural relationship.
The memo also indicates that the U.S. government plans to intensify its scrutiny of applicants’ online presence, though it does not clarify what criteria will be used to evaluate social media behavior.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce defended the new measures, saying, “We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country, and we’re going to continue to do that.”
This move unfolds amid rising tensions between the Trump administration and elite U.S. universities, particularly surrounding controversies like pro-Palestinian protests and alleged antisemitism on campuses.
President Trump has criticized institutions such as Harvard for what he views as biased admissions practices and anti-Israel sentiment.
Previous attempts by the administration to curb the influence of international students—including barring their entry or cutting funding—have often been met with legal resistance.
If these policies remain in place, they could present major obstacles for students from Ghana and other countries seeking educational opportunities in the United States.
