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Ghanaian students planning to study in the United States may face delays following a directive from the Trump administration halting new student visa interview appointments globally.
The order, communicated via a memo from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructs American embassies and consulates to pause all new bookings for student and exchange visa interviews until further notice. Applicants who already have appointments scheduled are not affected and can proceed as planned.
This development is expected to disrupt the travel plans of many Ghanaian students, who annually seek higher education in U.S. institutions. The U.S. Embassy in Accra typically handles a high volume of student visa applications, making this directive particularly impactful.
The suspension aligns with efforts by the Trump administration to enhance its scrutiny of visa applicants’ social media history. Though specific criteria have not been disclosed, U.S. officials say the new measures aim to improve national security.
“We are committed to thoroughly vetting everyone who enters our country,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce in defense of the decision.
This move comes amid rising tensions between the White House and major American universities over issues such as alleged antisemitism and pro-Palestinian protests.
President Trump has accused several top institutions of discriminatory practices and anti-Israel bias, leading to legal clashes over visa restrictions and funding cuts, particularly targeting universities like Harvard.
