New Delhi, May 27 -- The Trump administration is planning to mandate social media screening for all foreign students applying to study in the US, and in preparation, US embassies and consular offices have paused new student visa interviews, according to a report.

"Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days," Politico quoted a cable obtained by it as stating. ("Septel" is State Department shorthand for "separate telegram.")

The directive, dated Tuesday and was signed by Secretary of Sta...