VIRGINIA BEACH — The U.S. State Department this week ordered embassies to pause new student visa appointments to expand its social media screening efforts. The move applies to several visa categories, including the J-class, according to a State Department cable.

Among those groups affected will be international student workers who are applying for J-1 visas to work in Hampton Roads and Outer Banks later this year and in the future.

“The Department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants, and based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the cable, which was sent Tuesday and obtained by The

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