Majority of visa cancellations linked to assaults, DUI, burglary, and a small number for terrorism; critics call it an attack on free speech.
The Trump administration has revoked more than 6,000 student visas due to overstays and legal violations, including a small fraction for supporting terrorism, a State Department official confirmed on Monday.
Around 4,000 visas were canceled because the students broke the law, primarily for assaults, while others were for DUI and burglary. About 200–300 visas were revoked under rules related to terrorist activity, citing the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual.
Hard-Line Approach on Student Visas
This move reflects the administration’s increasingly strict stance on student visas amid a broader immigration crackdown:
- Enhanced social media vetting for applicants
- Expanded screening procedures for students abroad
- Directives to diplomats to be vigilant against applicants considered hostile to the US or politically active
Ties to Political Activism and Controversies
President Trump has criticized several top US universities, alleging they foster antisemitism during student protests supporting Palestinian rights amid the Gaza conflict. Notable actions include:
- Harvard University: Funding for investigations frozen; threat to remove tax-exempt status
- European universities: Increasing research grants to attract international talent
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that visas were revoked for students involved in activities contradicting US foreign policy priorities.
Free Speech Concerns
Critics argue that these visa revocations are a direct attack on First Amendment rights:
- A Tufts University student from Turkey was detained for over six weeks for co-writing an article critical of her university’s response to the Gaza war.
- She was released after a federal judge granted bail, highlighting concerns about suppression of free expression.
Key Takeaways:
- Over 6,000 student visas revoked, 4,000 for law violations
- Small fraction revoked for alleged support of terrorism
- Trump administration continues tightened immigration and visa policies
- Critics highlight potential violation of free speech rights
The mass revocation of student visas under the Trump administration underscores the growing tension between US immigration policies and individual rights, raising critical questions about free speech, political activism, and the future of international students in the country.
