"…Rubio said the US will begin to restrict visas to foreign nationals who are responsible for “censorship of protected expression in the United States”."

"…The action against Chinese students comes at a time of growing friction between Washington and Beijing after Trump accused China of exploiting the US on trade and triggered a tariff war upon returning to the White House for a second term."

"…The administration has frequently depicted social media content moderation policies as a form of censorship targeting conservatives, and has criticised foreign governments that encourage such policies."

"…The Trump administration's actions towards higher education have raised thorny constitutional questions about academic freedom and the rights of individuals living in the US on temporary visas."

"…The crackdown could also financially affect other universities with significant numbers of foreign students."

"…Trump's critics have called the effort an attack on free speech rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution."

"…The pause will last 'until further guidance is issued' in the next few days."

"…An extended pause in scheduling student visas could lead to delays that may disrupt college, boarding-school or exchange students’ plans to enroll in summer and fall terms."

"…The Trump administration has frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for universities and moved to deport students, while revoking thousands of visas for others."

"…The administration planned to use every tool available to review all visa candidates."

"…The U.S. will begin 'aggressively' revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields."

"…The days of passive treatment for those who work to undermine the rights of Americans are over."

"…The effort is the latest initiative from the Trump administration to crack down on immigration and revoke visas of those attending academic institutions in the U.S."

"…The idea that the embassies have the time, the capacity and taxpayer dollars are being spent this way is very problematic."

"…The move seems to be a not-so-subtle shot at the EU and the U.K., which have both threatened to investigate American citizens for their speech on social media platforms."

"…The policy, which has yet to be confirmed by the Department of State, marks the latest escalation in the federal government’s crackdown on American universities’ recruitment of foreign students."

"…The administration revoked roughly 4,000 student visas over the first 100 days of Trump's second term."

"…The uncertainty raised by the suspension of visa appointments will do further damage to the U.S. reputation as a destination country."

"…The uncertainty raised by the suspension of visa appointments will do further damage to the U.S. reputation as a destination country."

"…Rubio's news comes one day after State Department cables revealed foreign visa interviews had been put on hold for new guidance."

"…Rubio's news comes one day after State Department cables revealed foreign visa interviews had been put on hold for new guidance."

"…Rubio's news comes one day after State Department cables revealed foreign visa interviews had been put on hold for new guidance."

"…The new policy would allow for sanctions coming in the form of visa denials for targets on free speech, including foreign officials who threaten to arrest social media firm representatives, or the freezing of their assets."

"…The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields."

"…The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields."

"…Free speech is essential to the American way of life—a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority."

"…The temporary suspension, outlined in an internal cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is part of the department’s effort to strengthen the vetting process, particularly in relation to social media screening."