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University of Minnesota Student Arrested, Visa Revoked Over DUI, Not Protests
Federal authorities stated on Monday that an international graduate student from the University of Minnesota was apprehended and had their visa cancelled due to a “previous DUI conviction,” explicitly denying any connection to “student demonstrations.” This arrest and visa revocation of an international student has sparked concerns regarding the treatment of foreign students in the US.
ICE Arrest and Visa Revocation Details
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested the unnamed graduate student at an off-campus dwelling on Thursday, marking the most recent action targeting international students at American universities, as reported by Fox News. The student’s detention and subsequent visa cancellation are attributed to a prior DUI offense.
An ICE spokesperson stated the arrest was due to the prior DUI, which subsequently resulted in the revocation of the individual’s visa by the then-Trump administration, according to a post by Department of Homeland Security representative Tricia McLaughlin on X (formerly Twitter). This justification aims to dispel any suggestion that the arrest was related to student activism or protests.
University Response
The University of Minnesota issued a statement last week asserting it “had no prior awareness of this situation and did not disclose any information to federal agencies beforehand,” further expressing that the apprehension was “profoundly concerning.” The university’s statement highlights the lack of prior notification and their unease about the incident involving their international graduate student.
Protests Erupt
Demonstrators gathered in downtown Minneapolis over the weekend to protest the student’s detention. The arrest of the University of Minnesota graduate student has ignited public reaction, with protesters demanding answers and expressing solidarity with the detained student.
Governor Demands Answers
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday that he is requesting “clarification” from the DHS regarding the arrest. Governor Walz expressed concern over the situation.
“I have communicated with Homeland Security to gain further insight and will disseminate updates as they become available,” Walz wrote. “The University of Minnesota serves as a global hub for learning and investigation. We host numerous students holding visas, and we are seeking explanations.” The Governor’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for transparency from federal authorities regarding the detention of the international student.
Similar Cases of Student Detentions
Recent weeks have seen the previous administration’s broad deportation initiatives focus on multiple international students. The University of Minnesota case is not isolated, with other instances of international students facing detention and visa revocations coming to light.
Then-Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly revoked the visas of approximately 300 international students. This broader context reveals a pattern of stricter enforcement actions affecting foreign students in the US.
“We engage in this daily. Each time I identify one of these individuals, I rescind their visa,” he stated. This statement highlights a seemingly proactive approach to visa revocations.
Mahmoud Khalil Case
The first publicly known instance involved Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old former Columbia University graduate student of Palestinian descent with Syrian border origins. His case precedes the University of Minnesota student’s arrest and offers another example of recent actions against international students.
ICE agents apprehended Khalil, who possessed both a student visa and a green card, on March 8. This occurred after he purportedly assisted in coordinating numerous demonstrations against Israel starting last spring. Khalil’s detention was linked to his involvement in protests.
Currently, Khalil is contesting the prior administration’s deportation attempts while being held at an ICE detention facility in Louisiana. He is actively fighting against deportation.
Rumeysa Ozturk Case
Immigration officials also detained Rumeysa Ozturk, a Ph.D. candidate from Turkey at Tufts University, off the streets of Boston last week. The DHS indicated that her student visa was “terminated” by the previous administration due to alleged “activities in support of Hamas.” Like the University of Minnesota student and Khalil, Ozturk’s case adds to the growing number of international students facing immigration issues.
Ozturk had recently authored an opinion piece in the university newspaper criticizing Tufts’ reaction to demonstrations against Israel. Her criticism of the university’s stance predates her detention.
The DHS has not yet specified any particular actions by Ozturk that prompted her detention. Details surrounding the reasons for her arrest remain unclear.
McLaughlin stated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday that Ozturk’s visa “is a privilege, not a right,” and that “praising and supporting terrorists who murder Americans constitutes sufficient grounds for visa revocation.” This statement provides context for the rationale behind visa revocations in such cases, emphasizing national security concerns.