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US Universities on Edge as International Students Face Visa Issues Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests
Across the United States, international students at US universities are experiencing heightened anxiety and uncertainty as reports of visa revocations and student detentions surge, particularly those involved in pro-Palestinian protests. For weeks, social media has been filled with accounts of plain-clothes agents apprehending students, often without warning, and taking them to detention centers in unmarked vehicles. These actions, while raising concerns about due process and freedom of speech, are impacting students nationwide.
Concerns over Student Detentions and Visa Revocations
Numerous student detentions, many captured on video, have occurred without formal criminal charges. Those affected appear to be specifically targeted for their participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college and university campuses. While the government asserts that visas are discretionary and subject to revocation for various reasons, the current crackdown appears to be more extensive than initially perceived.
According to data from Inside Higher Ed, a news source focused on higher education, over 1,000 international students and recent graduates across the country have had their visas cancelled or legal statuses altered. In many instances, the specific justifications remain unclear, and universities are often notified of these changes only through a government database monitoring international student visa statuses.
Campus Reactions and Student Fears
The combination of targeted detentions and widespread reports of visa revocations has created a climate of apprehension on campuses ranging from large public institutions to prestigious Ivy League schools. Students and faculty members have described a palpable sense of unease.
Student Perspectives
- One student visa-holder at Georgetown University, who has written on Israel and the Gaza conflict, voiced concerns: “I could be next.” They now carry a card detailing their constitutional rights as a precautionary measure.
- Another student in Texas expressed fear of leaving their residence, even for essential errands like grocery shopping.
- Some university departments are experiencing disruptions as international researchers decline to return to the US due to concerns.
Most students who spoke on the condition of anonymity cited fears that media attention could further endanger them.
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Government Justifications and Criticisms
The reasons cited for visa cancellations are varied. While some cases involve criminal records or minor legal infractions, such as speeding, involvement in pro-Palestinian protests is reportedly a significant factor. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged this link.
This crackdown is part of a broader government initiative to address protests that officials claim have fostered an unsafe environment for Jewish students and, in some instances, expressed support for Hamas.
“Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” Rubio stated publicly in late March.
Civil Liberties Concerns
Civil liberties advocates have condemned the detentions and deportation efforts targeting student demonstrators as violations of constitutional rights. Students themselves reject any association with Hamas, asserting they are being penalized for expressing political views on the Gaza conflict and US policy toward Israel.
Examples of Detentions
Georgetown University has seen signs stating “protect our students” appearing on campus, reflecting the somber mood. Several detentions have drawn significant attention:
Individual Cases
- Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown, was apprehended by federal agents at his Virginia home. Homeland Security accused him of “promoting antisemitism online” and having links to terrorism, referencing his wife’s Palestinian father.
- Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student protest organizer and permanent resident, was arrested at home in New York and is facing deportation.
- Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University graduate student detained in Massachusetts, who co-authored an op-ed about Gaza, is also in detention awaiting proceedings.
- Mohsen Mahdawi, another Columbia student protester with a green card, was detained in Vermont during a citizenship interview.
The White House maintains that it is targeting individuals involved in activities contrary to US national interests. In Khalil’s case, officials cited a 1952 law allowing deportation if an individual’s presence could negatively impact US foreign policy. The Columbia Jewish Alumni Association publicly praised Khalil’s arrest.
Broader Implications and Campus Climate
Public opinion polls indicate strong approval for the government’s actions on immigration. However, these measures are generating considerable unease within academic institutions.
Universities are also facing institutional pressure. The White House’s task force on antisemitism recently froze billions in funding to Harvard University following disagreements over demands related to student visa information and university autonomy.
Officials have indicated that non-compliance from Harvard regarding student visa details could lead to a halt in visa approvals for international students seeking to study there.
Georgetown professor Nader Hashemi believes the primary aim is to “silence dissent” by intimidating potential protesters.
The Georgetown student, concerned for their future, has advised their parents not to travel from India for their graduation and is uncertain about attending the ceremony themselves.
Student Precautions and University Support
Beyond checking for visa revocation notifications, students are taking additional precautions, including securing their digital communications and preparing for potential arrest.
“I have cleared my chats across messaging apps, and I have learned how to quickly lock my phone in SOS mode,” the Georgetown student explained.
Georgetown professors are even offering temporary accommodation to students who fear immigration enforcement actions at their residences, according to Professor Hashemi. This underscores the “trauma” students are experiencing.
At Tufts University, students are closely monitoring the situation of Ms. Ozturk, who was detained outside her home after co-authoring an op-ed supporting the BDS movement against Israel.
Video footage shows Ms. Ozturk’s arrest as she was heading to a Ramadan dinner, highlighting the abrupt and unsettling nature of these actions.
Tufts PhD student Anteri Mejr described a “chilling effect,” noting that international students are now hesitant to return to the US after traveling abroad.
“There are students working remotely because they’re afraid they can’t get back in the country,” he said.
At the University of Texas, rumors of ICE raids are causing significant fear among students. One master’s student described “crippling anxiety,” afraid to leave home due to concerns about encountering plain-clothes agents.
Even as a green card holder with no protest involvement, this student worries about past criticisms of the president potentially leading to scrutiny. “How far does this administration dig through, like, an immigrant’s history?” they questioned, reflecting widespread uncertainty and fear within the international student community.