While cases of measles continue to spread throughout the U.S., Hawaii is reporting a new type of infectious spread.Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is on the rise at a "worrying rate" in the Aloha State, the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) confirmed last week in a news release.As of May 15, there have been 108 cases of pertussis reported, already exceeding the 84 total cases in 2024.CDC REMOVES COVID VACCINE RECOMMENDATION FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMENThe DOH labeled pertussis a "highly contagious respiratory disease" that spreads through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes.Symptoms often resemble a cold but can progress to "intense coughing fits."For children, these coughing fits can be followed by a "deep breath" that makes a "whooping" sound."Health complications can be serious and even life-threatening, especially for infants and young children who are not fully vaccinated," the DOH warned.Complications can include pneumonia, seizures, apnea, encephalopathy (a disease of the brain) and death.DOCTORS WARN OF TRIFECTA OF CHRONIC ILLNESSES PLAGUING AMERICANS AFTER MAHA REPORTThe most effective way to prevent pertussis is through vaccination, according to the DOH.The DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine is administered to children under 7 years old and the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine is for older children and adults.Multiple doses are generally recommended for infants, children and adults."High vaccination rates protect individuals and communities and prevent cases from becoming outbreaks," the agency noted."However, vaccination rates for all routinely recommended vaccinations for school entry including those for measles, pertussis, polio and varicella (chickenpox) have declined nationally and in Hawaii since 2019."MEASLES OUTBREAKS EMERGE ACROSS US: SEE WHICH STATES HAVE REPORTED CASESFox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel confirmed that Hawaii is below the national average in terms of childhood vaccines, noting that the DTaP vaccine is "highly effective" in children, with close to 100% protection with appropriate dosages."Pertussis is insidious, and can be easily mistaken for other respiratory diseases, including viruses," Siegel told Fox News Digital."Pertussis, which is a bacteria, can be treated with antibiotics like doxycycline but is easily missed. The best protection is vaccination, including repeated boosters in teens and adults."Siegel explained that the "characteristic whoop" sound among children is caused by clogged airways that are not yet well-developed.IS MMR VACCINE SAFE FOR KIDS? DR. NICOLE SAPHIER ADDRESSES CONCERNS AS MEASLES CASES RISEAbout one-third of babies under 1 year who contract whooping cough are at risk of hospitalization, according to the doctor."The best protection is for everyone around them to be vaccinated," he said. "Pertussis outbreaks are now connected to a drop-off in early childhood vaccination."Neha Pathak, MD, WebMD chief physician editor, echoed that pertussis is "still a significant public health threat," especially for infants and people with weakened immune systems."The DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine offers strong protection to children about 98 out of 100 children are protected for at least a year after the fifth dose, and about 70% are still protected for up to five years," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital.While vaccines like measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) can provide lifelong protection, pertussis immunity decreases over time, which means boosters are necessary for adolescents and adults, Pathak noted.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER"The uptick in pertussis cases is concerning, but not surprising given what we are seeing with vaccine hesitancy," she commented."Pregnant women should also get the Tdap vaccine during their third trimester to pass antibodies to their newborns, protecting them before they can be vaccinated," the doctor suggested.Hawaii confirmed two cases of measles in early April and concluded there was no further community spread.Despite the current situation being under control, the health department warned that measles exposure is still a threat among travelers.For more Health articles, visitwww.foxnews.com/health"Measles cases in the United States continue to rise, with more than 1,000 cases already reported across 30 states this year," the department noted."The risk remains high for future travel-related measles cases reaching Hawaii, and DOH recommends continued vigilance and efforts to increase the MMR vaccination rate."The DOH stressed its "strong" recommendation for children and adults to stay up to date with recommended vaccinations for disease prevention.

The State Department is planning to bolster its efforts to vet and screen the social media of those applying for international student and exchange visitor visas to ensure applicants dont pose a national security threat to the U.S., Fox News Digital has learned.To do this, the State Department is temporarily suspending new student and exchange visitor visa interviews as it evaluates enhanced social media screenings for the application process.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. Those whove publicly supported Palestine have faced increased scrutiny, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in May that the administration was reviewing the visa status of students who participated in pro-Palestine protests.The Trump administration has accused students whove participated in these protests of supporting Hamas a designated foreign terrorist organization.The State Department is currently examining existing operations that go into screening and vetting student and exchange visa applications, and "based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants," according to a Tuesday email obtained by Fox News Digital.TRUMP ADMIN STEPS UP OVERHAUL OF NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, WEEKS AFTER WALTZ'S DEPARTUREAs a result, the State Department is instructing consular sections to pause adding any additionalstudent or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued, "in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting," the email said."The next step is for posts to evaluate operations and processes in preparation for this expanded social media vetting of all student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants," said the email."Appointments already scheduled can proceed under current guidelines," the email said. "However, appointments that are available, but not taken as of the release of this cable, should be immediately removed from availability."RUBIO FIRES BACK AFTER DEM SENATOR SAYS HE REGRETS VOTING FOR HIM, SPARKING TENSE EXCHANGEThe email does not specify what additional steps would be involved in the more stringent social media screening process, but says that consular offices have been instructed to refer certain student and exchange visitor visa applicants to the Fraud Prevention Unit for a "mandatory social media check."The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on what the existing social media policy is for applicants.Meanwhile, Rubio told lawmakers May 20 that he expects that the State Department has already pulled thousands of visas since January following President Donald Trumps inauguration. Thats up from the 300 the administration had revoked as of late March.Rubio also said that his agency would continue to pull student visas, stating that a visa is not a right, its a "privilege.""I don't know the latest count, but we probably have more to do," Rubio told lawmakers on the Senate appropriations subcommittee overseeing foreign affairs. "We're going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities."Meanwhile, Democrats have said that the Trump administration's effort to revoke visas is a violation of due process."I do think it's a fundamental attack on freedom, because due process is the guardian of the gate to keep a government from taking away people's life or liberty, and liberty is what happens when you take away a visa without due process," Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., told Rubio May 20.A student visa allows those outside the U.S. to study in the country for a specific amount of time at an academic institution. In contrast, a green card allows an individual already in the U.S. who is not an American citizen to remain in the country.TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BEGINS NEW WAVE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VISA REVOCATIONS: NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO A VISA'The State Departments effort aligns with executive orders that Trump signed in January to protect the U.S. from foreign terrorists and other national security threats, as well as one that aims to combat antisemitism, a senior State Department official told Fox News Digital.One of the executive orders instructs the State Department, as well as the Department of Homeland Security, the attorney general, and the director of national intelligence, to "vet and screen to the maximum degree possible all aliens who intend to be admitted, enter, or are already inside the United States, particularly those aliens coming from regions or nations with identified security risks."Additionally, the other executive order states that the U.S. will use "all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence."

The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to intervene and allow it to quickly deport illegal immigrants to countries other than their own, Fox News has learned.The request from the Justice Department comes after a lower-court judge, Brian Murphy, issued a nationwide injunction that halted the Trump administration's attempts to rapidly deport immigrants residing illegally in the United States to third-party countries not their own.In a Monday evening ruling, Murphy denied the governments request to postpone enforcement of his injunction, and, as a result, the Trump administration is now seeking emergency relief from the Supreme Court while the case continues to work its way through the legal system.As many as a dozen people from several countries, including Vietnam and Myanmar, were allegedly ordered deported to South Sudan, in violation of Murphy's previous order.It was unclear where the plane carrying the migrants may be as of last week, but a source with knowledge of the situation confirms to Fox News that the flight was in the nearby African country of Djibouti, with U-S military personnel on the scene assisting. No word on when or if the flight would travel on to South Sudan.A Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman had indicated South Sudan would not be the final destination for that particular flight.This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Tuesday announced his 2026 run for Alabama governor.Tuberville, a top Senate supporter and ally of President Donald Trump, launched a campaign website that touts his "conservative Alabama values."And the senator made his first appearance after announcing his candidacy on Fox News' "The Will Cain Show."The move by the former longtime college football coach who spent 10 years as head coach at Auburn University in Alabama ended weeks of speculation about his ambitions to run for governor in his homestate.WHY TOMMY TUBERVILLE IS TAKING AIM AT MAINE'S GOVERNORJust a week ago, Fox News confirmed that Tuberville told donors at recent private meetings that he would be launching a gubernatorial campaign.And a source familiar told Fox News a couple of weeks ago that an endorsement from Trump would be a "done deal" if Tuberville decided to run for governor.Tuberville, who was elected to the Senate in 2020, is running to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Kay Ivey. And his move sets up an open Senate seat in Alabama in the 2026 midterm elections.

Lindsay Lohan's physical transformation has had fans speculating about her appearance for months. Now, the 38-year-old actress is setting the record straight.In a new interview, the "Freaky Friday" star who appeared on the cover of ELLEs 2025 Summer Issue shut down rumors that she got a facelift. The star shared the secrets behind the skincare routine that has dramatically altered her look."Everyone does Botox," Lohan said. "I drink this juice every morning. Its like carrot, ginger, lemon, olive oil, apple. I also drink a lot of green tea, a lot of water. Im a big pickled beets person, so I put them in almost everything. My skin care is very specific. Im trying out some serums now that Im doing Im testing them."LINDSAY LOHAN'S NEW LOOK SPARKS CURIOSITY ABOUT HOT NEW CELEBRITY PLASTIC SURGERY TREND"Also, Im a big believer in ice-cold water on your face when you wake up," the 38-year-old continued. "I drink lemon juice a lot; I also put tons of chia seeds in my water. Eye patches, I do every morning. Im into lasers.""I did Morpheus8 (a non-invasive radiofrequency microneedling treatment) once, and then I realized my skin is so thin that I cant be doing that," Lohan noted."My skin changed after having my son. It got really sensitive. Thats what really made me change my whole routine and diet and everything. I did blood tests, and I was like, I want to know everything Im allergic to. So I cut everything out, and thats kind of when everything started to change for me."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERLohan, who shares son Luai with husband Bader Shammas, said her skin got "even more sensitive" after giving birth."It doesnt happen to everyone. But Im glad it happened to me, because it made me aware of how to take care of my skin long term," she said.During the interview, when Lohan was praised for her "glow-up," her publicist immediately jumped in to debunk rumors of plastic surgery."You know what the problem is with you being beautiful women the second she looks any different, they assume she had her face lifted at 37 or 38, that she ripped apart this or that. Its so mean," the publicist said."Im like, when? With what time? Where?" Lohan responded.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"Yeah, I tried to figure that out, Linds, in the last three years, when you had time to do anything, because I know your schedule," the publicist continued. "So the haters can hate and be jealous. It just sucks that thats where they go with women in todays world. Women cant just look good to look good and change their lifestyle to be more healthy.""You just have to do it and ignore everyone else," Lohan added.Despite speculation surrounding Lohan's new look, her dad, Michael Lohan, vehemently denied that his daughter had any surgical work done."Lindsay never had any plastic surgery done ever," Lohan told Page Six last year, but admitted that the "Mean Girls" actress has done "peels, fillers and Botox."LINDSAY LOHAN THRIVES IN PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL LIFE AS FATHER'S ARREST TOPS YEARS OF FAMILY TURMOIL"Her look [is] so natural just like her talent," he added. "[It's] disgusting [for people] to propagate false narratives."Lohan's youthful appearance has had social media users questioning her methods."I need to know absolutely everything that occurred between 2018 to 2024 to have this crazy of a transformation," an esthetician said in a viral TikTok in November. "Im in the industry, and Im at a loss for words."Dr. Kristy Hamilton, MD, FACS, of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, told Fox News Digital that this "undetectable" look represents something much bigger than "just a trend.""The undetectable look is not just a trend it represents a significant cultural shift in aesthetics as well as progress in and refinement of our surgical techniques as plastic surgeons," she said."I would argue that overfilled lips and frozen faces have never been trendy theyre the unwanted side effects of patients seeking youth that perhaps have been overtreated or, simply stated, would have benefited from a surgical intervention instead."Hamilton says she often tells patients that faces "are not like fashion statements.""We cant easily undo aesthetic surgery like we can easily change a dress silhouette, so we are seeking classic, timeless beauty at all times," she said. "Patients now prioritize treatments that allow them to look refreshed and youthful without revealing that they have had work done. This evolution is driven by advancements in technology, techniques and a deeper understanding of facial anatomy, which enable results that blend seamlessly with the patients natural features."

Texas authorities released video showing the pursuit and arrest of two New Orleans jail inmates who escaped on May 16.Both Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald were arrested on Monday following a high-speed chase that ended in Walker County, Texas, according to the Louisiana State Police. Donald and Tate were arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety in an operation that included several law enforcement agencies.Video released by the Texas Department of Public Safety shows the suspects' vehicle going in the wrong direction before eventually being stopped by law enforcement officials.Body-camera video shows one of the men being pulled out of the SUV's passenger window by Texas authorities, when he was then re-arrested. The other inmate was pulled out of the car through the passenger door.MAN ESCAPES LOUISIANA JAIL FOR 2ND TIME AS SEPARATE MANHUNT FOR NEW ORLEANS INMATES CONTINUES"Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald were arrested on May 26th after leading law enforcement officers from several agencies on a high-speed chase through the Huntsville area," the Huntsville, Texas Police Department wrote on Facebook. "The pursuit ended near US 190 and Geneva, where both subjects were taken into custody."WATCH: Texas authorities release dashcam video of inmates' arrestTate and Donald escaped the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 16 along with eight other inmates at the facility.SIXTH FUGITIVE FROM NEW ORLEANS JAILBREAK CAPTURED IN BATON ROUGEDonald was initially charged with second-degree murder, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon and obstruction of justice. Tate was charged with simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon, illegal carrying of a weapon, motor vehicle theft and multiple drug counts.Lenton Vanburen, who also escaped from the Orleans Justice Center, was also arrested on Monday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.According to WDSU, Daishanae Massey was arrested on Tuesday and booked on a charge of accessory after the fact. Fourteen people have been arrested for allegedly helping the inmates who escaped. Massey is accused of helping Antoine Massey, according to officials.Two men who escaped the facility are still at large:Fox News' Louis Casiano and Landon Mion contributed to this report.

U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab over the weekend in Somalia.The airstrike by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) targeted an area nearly 40 miles northwest of Kismayo, Somalia, where al-Shabab was reportedly located.According to a press release from AFRICOM, al-Shabab "has proven both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces.""AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al-Shababs ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad," the press release read.TRUMP TAKES SWIPE AT BIDEN, SAYS US WILL SUPPORT SOMALIA AGAINST HOUTHISNo further details about units and assets were released to ensure continued security of operations.The East African country of Somalia has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and al-Shabab.U.S. Africa Command reported in April that it had carried out four airstrikes: three against ISIS terrorists and one against al-Shabab. At least one of these strikes, the command stated, was against multiple targets.TRUMP SAYS HE ORDERED AIRSTRIKES ON ISIS LEADERS IN SOMALIAFor years, the U.S. has helped Somali forces with airstrikes and other support against the al-Shabab extremist group.Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in March, drafted a letter to Trump offering the U.S. exclusive access to air bases and seaports, which reignited tensions between the government of Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland, the Associated Press reported.ISIS INCREASINGLY UNOPPOSED FOLLOWING US WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN, COLLAPSE OF SYRIAIn the letter, Somalia offered "exclusive operational control" over the Berbera and Baledogle air bases and the ports of Berbera and Bosaso to "bolster American engagement in the region."One of the ports, Berbera, is in a key city located in Somaliland, whose long assertion as an independent state has not received international recognition.Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government. It maintains its own government, security forces and currency and has held elections.Fox News Digitals Paul Tilsley and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For Dick Van Dyke, living to almost 100 can be "a curse."The "Mary Poppins" star described how he and longtime pal Ed Asner, who died in 2021 at age 91, were teaming up for a remake of the classic comedy "The Odd Couple.""That wouldve been such fun, and we lost it," said the 99-year-old at the "Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Present Vandy Camp" event in Malibu, California, as reported by People magazine.DICK VAN DYKE IGNORED WARNINGS ABOUT 46-YEAR AGE GAP WITH WIFE ARLENE SILVER"He's outlivedeverybody," said Van Dykes wife Arlene, 53. "That's the curse of living to almost 100."Still, Arlene noted that the star is "still so positive" despite losing so many friends and co-stars over the years."Well, life's been good to me," said Van Dyke. "I can't complain."The actor told People magazine at the event that hes determined to perform instead of easing into retirement. Van Dyke will turn 100 in December."I'm a ham," he said. "I love it. I get a jolt of energy from an audience."According to the outlet, "The Odd Couple" was first introduced as a Broadway play in 1965. A movie followed in 1968 starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. A TV series, developed by Garry Marshall, premiered in 1970 and ran for five seasons. It starred Jack Klugman and Tony Randall.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERThe story follows Felix, a neat freak, who moves in with his messy best friend Oscar in a New York City apartment following his divorce. Its there where their friendship is put to the test.WATCH: DICK VAN DYKE SHOW STAR NEVER BECAME CLOSE WITH MARY TYLER MOOREVan Dyke had already made his mark headlining "The Dick Van Dyke Show" when he was cast alongside Julie Andrews in 1964s "Mary Poppins." His sitcom, where he played a comedy writer named Rob Petrie, ran from 1961 to 1966. He described how Andrews, 89, was "as sweet as she could be and so patient with me" as he struggled with the singing aspects of his role."I'm not a real singer, so I tend to be under, fighting to get up there and sing on top of the note," he told the outlet. "Just took me forever in the recording. But [Andrews] was just as patient as could be and kept helping me, saying, 'Think high. Think up there.' And it turned out great."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"She was wonderful," he gushed. "We had a wonderful time together."In December 2024, Van Dyke opened up about his life while appearing in a new music video for Coldplays "All My Love." The song wasn't initially written about Van Dyke, but the music video was a look back on his incredible career.Filmed at the legendary actor's Malibu home, the video features footage of Van Dyke's many accolades and awards, sweet clips of him and his extended family, and emotional moments of reflection."Im acutely aware that I could go any day now, but I dont know why. It doesnt concern me. Im not afraid of it," Van Dyke said in the video. "I have that feeling, totally against anything intellectual, that Im going to be alright.""I think Im one of those lucky people who got to do for a living what I would have done anyway," he added. "When you think how lucky I am I got to do what I do, play and act silly."

British stand-up comedian and sitcom star Ricky Gervais said comics should not obsess over potentially offending audiences, because any joke will offend somebody somewhere.In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, the creator and star of the British version of "The Office" TV series, described how he employs offensive jokes and taboo subjects for his audiences and stressed the importance of free speech for comedy."But you have to have free speech, and theres nothing you could say that someone somewhere wont be offended by. Its impossible so you shouldnt even try," Gervais told the outlet.RICKY GERVAIS SAYS HE HAD A 'BLAST' AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES: 'MAKE JOKES, NOT WAR'"I dont go out there and try to ruin the audiences evening. I go out there, and I make a joke, and its crafted," he said. "Were human though, and we take things personally, but you shouldnt, because I think comedy is best as an intellectual pursuit."Despite Gervais reputation for ruffling feathers, he says using offensive jokes is more about guiding an audience through a scary or uncomfortable scenario so they can come to a new perspective about it."Were human, so we react to buzzwords, and were cautious of taboo subjects. Thats why theyre still taboo, because were cautious of them. I do that on purpose as well, particularly with my stand-up where I talk about contentious issues and taboo subjects, because I do want to take the audience to a place they havent been before," he said.ANDREW SCHULZ SAYS COUNTRY HAS SPOKEN LOUD AND CLEAR ON WOKENESS AFTER UNANIMOUS TRUMP WIN ON THE ISSUEHe continued, "I do want them to reflect on it, worry about it, think about it and then, Ive got to misdirect them. Its like I take them by the hand through a scary forest, but its okay because they always laugh."Gervais even suggested that comics could go too far with jokes."If I were going out there and saying things that were really offensive, and no one was laughing, well, that would be odd," he said, adding thats the difference between a comedian like him and politicians. "Politicians say awful things, and they mean it, and no one laughs. Comedians say things they dont mean, everyone laughs, and they get the same treatment."The comedian made waves in 2020 for his Golden Globes speech that featured a no-holds-barred assault on many of the Hollywood elites present in the audience. In one of the infamous jokes, he grilled alleged Hollywood connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Gervais declared that Epstein didn't kill himself, prompting groans from the crowd."Shut up, I know hes your friend, but I dont care," he quipped.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREIn another, he told the audience, "Youre in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg."Gervais has taken a stance against "fragile" and "easily offended" people in recent years.In response to online debate over whether language in Roald Dahls beloved childrens books should be updated to be more politically correct in 2023, the comic posted a serious picture of himself, writing, "This is me pondering whether they'll change any of the words I've used in my work after I'm dead, to spare those who are fragile and easily offended."He then listed off several of the profane words that have marked his comic career: "Words like 'fat' and 'ugly'. And 'c---' and 'f---'. And 'fat, ugly, greedy, pathetic little stupid f------ c---'. Stuff like that."

The State Department is planning to bolster its efforts to vet and screen the social media of those applying for international student and exchange visitor visas to ensure applicants dont pose a national security threat to the U.S., Fox News Digital has learned.To do this, the State Department is temporarily suspending new student and exchange visitor visa interviews as it evaluates enhanced social media screenings for the application process.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. Those whove publicly supported Palestine have faced increased scrutiny, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in May that the administration was reviewing the visa status of students who participated in pro-Palestine protests.The Trump administration has accused students whove participated in these protests of supporting Hamas a designated foreign terrorist organization.The State Department is currently examining existing operations that go into screening and vetting student and exchange visa applications, and "based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants," according to a Tuesday email obtained by Fox News Digital.TRUMP ADMIN STEPS UP OVERHAUL OF NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, WEEKS AFTER WALTZ'S DEPARTUREAs a result, the State Department is instructing consular sections to pause adding any additionalstudent or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued, "in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting," the email said."The next step is for posts to evaluate operations and processes in preparation for this expanded social media vetting of all student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants," said the email."Appointments already scheduled can proceed under current guidelines," the email said. "However, appointments that are available, but not taken as of the release of this cable, should be immediately removed from availability."RUBIO FIRES BACK AFTER DEM SENATOR SAYS HE REGRETS VOTING FOR HIM, SPARKING TENSE EXCHANGEThe email does not specify what additional steps would be involved in the more stringent social media screening process, but says that consular offices have been instructed to refer certain student and exchange visitor visa applicants to the Fraud Prevention Unit for a "mandatory social media check."The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on what the existing social media policy is for applicants.Meanwhile, Rubio told lawmakers May 20 that he expects that the State Department has already pulled thousands of visas since January following President Donald Trumps inauguration. Thats up from the 300 the administration had revoked as of late March.Rubio also said that his agency would continue to pull student visas, stating that a visa is not a right, its a "privilege.""I don't know the latest count, but we probably have more to do," Rubio told lawmakers on the Senate appropriations subcommittee overseeing foreign affairs. "We're going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities."Meanwhile, Democrats have said that the Trump administration's effort to revoke visas is a violation of due process."I do think it's a fundamental attack on freedom, because due process is the guardian of the gate to keep a government from taking away people's life or liberty, and liberty is what happens when you take away a visa without due process," Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., told Rubio May 20.A student visa allows those outside the U.S. to study in the country for a specific amount of time at an academic institution. In contrast, a green card allows an individual already in the U.S. who is not an American citizen to remain in the country.TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BEGINS NEW WAVE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VISA REVOCATIONS: NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO A VISA'The State Departments effort aligns with executive orders that Trump signed in January to protect the U.S. from foreign terrorists and other national security threats, as well as one that aims to combat antisemitism, a senior State Department official told Fox News Digital.One of the executive orders instructs the State Department, as well as the Department of Homeland Security, the attorney general, and the director of national intelligence, to "vet and screen to the maximum degree possible all aliens who intend to be admitted, enter, or are already inside the United States, particularly those aliens coming from regions or nations with identified security risks."Additionally, the other executive order states that the U.S. will use "all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence."