Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
International Students Face Visa Revocation in the United States
Over 600 international students and recent graduates in the U.S. have experienced visa revocations or alterations to their legal status by the State Department, according to nationwide data. This situation raises concerns regarding the immigration status of foreign students and the processes impacting their ability to study in the United States.
Scale of Visa Changes
Information compiled by Inside Higher Ed indicates that, as of recent data, over 100 American colleges and universities have reported more than 600 instances where students’ immigration standing was modified. These institutions report that their students have had their F-1 or J-1 student visas invalidated.
Reasons for Revocation Remain Unclear
Some of these cases are reportedly linked to student activism and involvement in campus demonstrations opposing the conflict in Gaza, while others are attributed to “minor offenses.” College administrators largely express uncertainty regarding the specific reasons behind the visa revocations, and many institutions are still awaiting official notice of these changes. Communication from immigration authorities regarding these matters remains limited.
“Catch and Revoke” Program and Social Media Monitoring
The data compilation follows reports from last month that the State Department had rescinded 300 or more student visas within a three-week period following the implementation of its “Catch and Revoke” program.
This newly established initiative by the State Department reportedly utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze social media content. The program aims to identify “foreign nationals who appear to endorse Hamas or other designated terror groups” and subsequently cancel their visas, according to reports.
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Official Acknowledgment and Controversy
The Secretary of State acknowledged the extent of the March crackdown, referring to student activists as “lunatics.” In response to questions about the visa cancellations during a visit to South America, the Secretary stated, “Maybe more than 300 at this point” have lost their visas. “We do it every day, every time I find one of these lunatics.”
Broader Scope of Impact
Evidence suggests that these sudden visa revocations extend beyond students participating in pro-Palestinian activism. Students facing minor, non-criminal violations, such as traffic tickets, have also been affected.
Previous reporting highlighted an online spreadsheet, maintained by impacted students, revealing that individuals from 50 universities reported visa cancellations around early April. Some students traced the cause to police citations or non-criminal infractions.
Student Deportation Case Highlights Concerns
Students at the University of Florida have organized a campus protest to support Felipe Zapata Velázquez, a 27-year-old Colombian student deported. His deportation by the previous administration followed his arrest for alleged traffic violations.
His family stated he is currently “undergoing a physical and emotional recovery process” in Colombia after his arrest on March 28 for offenses including an expired vehicle tag and a suspended driver’s license, after which he was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Political Condemnation
Florida Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost criticized authorities, labeling the Velázquez case as “kidnapping.” Frost asserted in a statement, “Felipe Zapata Velázquez is just the latest victim of actions against immigrants.”
Other High-Profile Cases
Two additional cases that have gained significant attention involve Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and former pro-Palestinian protest leader, and Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University. Ozturk was arrested following an op-ed critical of Israel. Both individuals are currently in ICE detention, contesting their deportations, arguing their actions are protected as free speech under the First Amendment.