The Detroit News

Michigan State University is “strongly” advising its international students not to leave the U.S. as the Trump administration ramps up efforts to restrict non-citizens from studying in the country. That recommendation was made by the university in an email to international students sent Tuesday, which was shared with The Detroit News by a spokesperson. It said the communication was spurred by recent reports that the U.S. Department of State has temporarily paused new interviews with people living abroad who are seeking student and exchange visas.

That halt is intended to allow for increased screening of visa applicant’s social media feeds, U.S. officials have said. It also coincides with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement that his department would move to “aggressively” revoke the visas of Chinese international students — a move that has reportedly escalated tensions in the trade war between the U.S. and China.

The discontinuation of visa interviews and targeting of Chinese international students are the latest actions by the Trump administration to tighten who’s allowed to attend American universities and carry out hardline immigration reform. In April, universities across the country, including MSU, reported that their international students were seeing their visas and student records abruptly revoked. MSU’s email to international students “strongly advised” those currently in the U.S. to “not travel outside the country.” For international students currently in their home countries, MSU recommended they “remain in close contact with the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case.” The email added, “our current understanding is that previously scheduled visa interview appointments will proceed as planned,” though “most embassies and consulates have suspended scheduling new appointments.” “I understand that this news and the uncertainty surrounding it may be frustrating,” said the email, which was signed by Krista Beatty, the director of MSU’s Office of International Students and Scholars. “Please know that MSU remains strongly committed to our international Spartan community. We will continue to welcome students and scholars from around the world, and we will advocate for policies that support your presence and success.”