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الوسم: Tammy Bruce

  • US Student Visa Hold to Be Brief, Says State Department

    US Student Visa Hold to Be Brief, Says State Department

    US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce addresses various issues including the Ukraine crisis and Middle East situations during her first press briefing in Washington, DC, on March 17, 2025.

    WASHINGTON: The United States has clarified that the current halt in student visa processing is temporary.

    The State Department has reassured international students that appointments for visas are expected to resume shortly, even as new regulations regarding social media monitoring are being formulated.

    State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce advised prospective students to pursue scheduling their visa appointments, stating, “I wouldn’t suggest this if it were going to take weeks or months.”

    She added, “I believe we can expect this to happen sooner rather than later,” while speaking with reporters.

    On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio mandated that embassies and consulates pause student visa appointment scheduling until new guidelines for social media examination are released.

    This decision is part of a series of confrontations regarding education from President Donald Trump’s administration, which has revoked thousands of visas, attempted to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students, and promised aggressive visa cancellations for Chinese nationals.

    Rubio has previously revoked the visas of multiple students who participated in protests critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza, citing a seldom-used law that allows for the removal of individuals acting against US foreign policy interests.

    In a communication to diplomatic missions on Tuesday, Rubio indicated that new guidance on social media screening would be provided in the coming days.

    Bruce further encouraged prospective students to regularly check online for available appointment slots.

    “Currently, there might be some delays, and I’ve been advised to tell people to keep checking for when those slots become available,” she remarked.

  • US State Dept Denies Existence of Travel Ban List Reports

    US State Dept Denies Existence of Travel Ban List Reports

    US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce during a press briefing in Washington, D.C. on March 17, 2025. — Screengrab via YouTube@StateDept

    • “There is no travel ban list,” stated State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
    • She confirmed that the administration aims to ensure the safety of the U.S. when it comes to issuing visas.
    • Reports suggest that Washington has drafted a list comprising 41 countries.

    WASHINGTON: Amid widespread speculation regarding potential travel restrictions from President Donald Trump’s administration, the U.S. State Department has confirmed that there is no existing travel ban list.

    “There is no list. What people have been discussing over the past several days is not something that exists here that we are acting upon,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated during a media briefing when asked about Afghanistan’s status on the alleged travel ban list.

    This denial follows the emergence of a draft list containing the names of 41 countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and others, categorized into three groups that would face different levels of travel restrictions.

    According to a memo obtained by Reuters, Pakistan was placed in a category that would be considered for a partial suspension of visa issuance if its government fails to “address deficiencies within 60 days.”

    The first group consists of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, which would encounter a full visa suspension.

    The second group includes five nations—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—that would experience partial visa suspensions affecting tourist and student visas as well as other immigrant visas, though some exceptions would apply.

    The third group comprises 26 countries, including Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, which could face partial visa suspensions if their governments do not resolve relevant issues in a timely manner.

    A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, warned that changes to the list might occur and that it had yet to receive approval from the administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

    This proposed policy reflects the travel ban during Trump’s first term, which targeted travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries. This policy underwent several modifications before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

    On January 20, Trump signed an executive order mandating enhanced security vetting for foreigners seeking entry into the U.S. to identify potential national security threats.

    Addressing the reports about the potential travel restrictions, State Department spokesperson Bruce explained that there is an ongoing review under Trump’s executive order aimed at determining what measures could make America safer in terms of visa policies and admissions.

    “However, what has been presented as an item by the State Department is simply not accurate,” she further emphasized.