Washington, D.C

Pause on student visas causes concern among some DC education programs

Published

6 months ago

June 7, 2025

Pause on student visas causes concern among some DC education programs

Pause on student visas causes concern for DC education programs

A D.C.-based non-profit is among the organizations scrambling to support international students who may no longer be able to obtain a visa. Last week, the Trump administration paused new student visa interviews. FOX 5’s Shirin Rajaee is live with more on the impacts.

WASHINGTON – A Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit is among the many organizations facing uncertainty as the Trump administration places a temporary pause on new student visa interviews, leaving international students — some just days away from beginning summer internships in the capital — in limbo.

Last week, the U.S. State Department halted visa interviews for prospective international students, citing potential changes in social media vetting procedures.

While the administration frames the pause as a matter of national security, education leaders and students warn of significant and far-reaching consequences.

Local perspective:

One of the affected organizations is The Fund for American Studies (TFAS), a non-profit that has operated since 1967. Each summer, TFAS brings together around 300 students for internship programs in areas ranging from Capitol Hill and Fortune 500 companies to journalism and public policy.

Many of the participants are international students, selected through a competitive process for their academic excellence and leadership potential. These students also complete coursework through George Mason University.

Now, dozens of those selected international students may not be able to attend.

“It’s disappointing,” said TFAS Chief Operating Officer Steve Slattery. “They’re telling us that they don’t know if they’re going to be able to come here because they need this interview at the embassy. Usually that’s the last hurdle, and often times there was a backlog for these interviews, so yes, there’s anxiety.”

The backstory:

The Trump administration has ordered U.S. embassies worldwide to pause issuing new student visa interview appointments. The White House is reportedly considering expanding social media screening for applicants. However, no clear guidelines have been issued regarding the criteria for approval or the length of the delay.

“As far as I know, they’re vetted pretty vigorously,” Slattery added. “We vet them through our process. Embassies do their own interviews and scrutiny of applicants.”

Mark Vodianyi, a TFAS alumnus and international student from Ukraine currently studying at Georgetown University, says while he is not personally impacted by the pause, he’s concerned about its broader implications.

“Lots of the TFAS alum, they go home and advocate for democracy and civil liberties,” Vodianyi said.

He also emphasized the long-term consequences of limiting access for international students.

“I’m thinking long term, the U.S. is losing a lot in this. International students contribute a lot to the U.S. economy — they support thousands of jobs nationwide.”

What they’re saying:

While the administration insists the move is rooted in national security interests, some of its own officials have made controversial remarks.

Linda McMahon, U.S. secretary of education, stated that, “The president certainly had great concerns that there are foreign students — not everyone — but there are foreign students who come to the country I do believe will help create this unrest.”

TFAS and other educational organizations argue that existing screening processes are already thorough and should not prevent forward progress.

“If they want to screen these students — which they already do — but if they want to do that more tightly, that’s fine,” said Slattery. “But we just want the process to move forward.”

What’s next:

Though the pause has been described as temporary, the State Department has not announced a timeline for resuming visa interviews. Applicants are advised to monitor their local U.S. embassy or consulate websites for updates.

The impact of international students on American society is substantial. From founding major tech companies like Google, Yahoo, and YouTube, to contributing across the healthcare and research sectors, the role of these students extends well beyond academia. And that’s why, for many, this story hits home.

Washington, D.C

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

Published

11 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

TNND — A new report from the House Oversight Committee alleges former D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data. The committee released the report on Sunday, less than a week after Smith announced she was stepping down.

You’re lulling people into this false sense of security. They might go places they wouldn’t ordinarily go. They might do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association.

Included in the report were transcribed interviews with the commanders of all seven D.C. patrol districts and the former commander currently on suspended leave. One was asked, “Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?” Their response, “Yes, I mean extremethere’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration.”

Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital,” House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a statement.

“They are going to have to regain the public trust. Again, this is a huge integrity issue,” Brantner Smith said.

Among the reports findings, Smith’s alleged pressured campaign against staff led to inaccurate crime data. Smith punished or removed officers for reporting accurate crime numbers. Smith fostered a toxic culture and President Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in D.C. is working.

While Smith has not yet publicly responded to the report, she’s previously denied allegations of manipulating crime data, saying the investigation did not play a factor into her decision to step down at the end of the year.

My decision was not factored into anything with respect to, other than the fact that it’s time. I’ve had 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve had some time to think with my family,” Smith said earlier this month.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement Monday, writing in part that “the interim report betrays its bias from the outset, admitting that it was rushed to release.”

According to crime stats from the Metropolitan Police Department, since the federal law enforcement surge started in August, total violent crime is down 26%. Homicides are down 12% and carjackings 37%.

Source link

Washington, D.C

National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

Published

23 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

The first candle lit on the National Menorah near the White House in Washington, D.C., marked the first night of Hanukkah — and solemnly honored victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.

The National Menorah Lighting was held Sunday night, hours after gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, and over three dozen others were being treated at hospitals.

Authorities in Australia said it was a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.

Organizers behind the National Menorah Lighting said the news from Australia, along with the bitter cold, forced them to consider whether or not to hold the annual event.

After consulting with local law enforcement, National Menorah Lighting organizers decided to hold the event and honor the victims.

Several D.C.-area police departments issued statements confirming there are no known threats to local communities, but are monitoring just in case.

Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich condemned the attack and said community safety is a priority.

“Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation,” Elrich said. “I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County’s Jewish community who are shaken and concerned, and I want them to know that their safety is a priority.”

Source link

Washington, D.C

READ: Report accuses DC Police Chief Pamela Smith of ‘fear, intimidation, threats’

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

READ: Report accuses DC Police Chief Pamela Smith of ‘fear, intimidation, threats’

WASHINGTON (7News) — Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith is facing yet another scathing report accusing her of manipulating crime data in the city.

The 22-page document from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform comes less than a week after a separate draft report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and days after Chief Smith turned in her resignation.

The main difference between the Congressional report and the DOJ report is that this new one, released on December 14, contains transcribed interviews directly with commanders from all seven MPD patrol districts.

RELATED | DC Police settles with former employee over claims that crime numbers were manipulated

The testimony reveals how Chief Smith chastised and, in some cases, publicly humiliated staff in crime briefings.

“The Committee’s investigation heard consistent testimony about frustration and exhaustion among MPD commanders and the manifestation of a culture of fear, intimidation, threats, and retaliation by Chief Smith. Often, these manifestations were triggered whenever the Chief was presented with what she considers ‘bad news,’ particularly when that news pertained to any rise in public crime statistics. Chief Smith, according to testimonies, regularly took action against her subordinates who failed to aid in the preservation of her public image,” the report states on page two.

RELATED | Trump announces probe into DC police for inflating crime stats amid safety claims

The committee launched the investigation in August when whistleblowers came forward with concerns about data manipulation.

One line of questioning in the report states:

Question: Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?

Answer: Yes, I mean extreme… there’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration or regime, and you know, that has manifested publicly.

7News reached out to Mayor Bowser’s Office for a comment in response to the report. A spokesperson provided the following statement:

The men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department run towards danger every day to reduce homicides, carjackings, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and more. The precipitous decline in crime in our city is attributable to their hard work and dedication and Chief Smith’s leadership.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

I thank Chief Smith for her commitment to the safety of D.C. residents and for holding the Metropolitan Police Department to an exacting standard, and I expect no less from our next Chief of Police.

Source link