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SUMMARY

The U.S. is pausing new student and exchange visitor visa interviews while it looks to expand screening of applicants' social media posts, according to a State Department cable obtained by the News Hour. It's part of a crackdown on immigration and higher education by the Trump administration. Amna Nawaz has views on the effort from Simon Hankinson of the Heritage Foundation and Fanta Aw of NAFSA.

View the transcript of the story.

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key terms

visa — an official document that allows non-residents of a country to visit or stay for a specified period. Non-immigrant visas are issued to students, tourists and others visiting the U.S. temporarily.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Why has the State Department announced a pause on student visa applications?
2. Who is interviewed for this segment, and what are their backgrounds?
3. When did screening of non-immigrant visa applications become more complicated, according to Simon Hankinson?
4. Why is greater scrutiny of visiting students justified, according to Hankinson?
5. How will the move impact visiting students, colleges and college communities, according to Fanta Aw?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. Do you think closer scrutiny of international students is justified?
2. How do you think colleges and foreign exchange programs will be impacted if the Trump administration rejects many international students?

Media literacy: Why do you think the producers chose to interview the two guests that appear in this segment?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

How else is the Trump administration changing education in the U.S.? Skim through the "Education" page of PBS News website, and choose a story that you find interesting. How do you think education at the high school and college level will be different in five years?

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