The Trump administration has been revoking student visas at an alarming rate, with over 300 international students affected in the past few weeks. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the revocations are due to national security concerns, targeting individuals involved in activities that “run counter to U.S. national interests”. Many students who had their visas revoked participated in pro-Palestinian protests, while others had minor legal issues like traffic violations or misdemeanors.
The revocations have sparked fear among student communities, with videos of arrests showing plain-clothes ICE officers detaining students near their homes. Some students have been detained and sent to immigration detention centers, including a Turkish student at Tufts University who was abducted by agents on her way to a Ramadan celebration. Rights groups have expressed concern about arrests being conducted without warrants or due process.
Over 80 universities across the US have reported visa revocations, including prestigious Ivy League institutions like Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Stanford. Large public universities like the University of Florida, Texas A&M, and the University of California system have also been affected. At least eight student visas have been canceled at Arizona State University, while UC campuses have reported at least 57 cases.
Immigration lawyers argue that student visas are being revoked without prior notice, explanation, or chance to appeal, which is a practice critics call legally and ethically questionable. Several affected students have filed lawsuits, claiming the government acted unlawfully by revoking visas and detaining individuals without justification. Xiaotian Liu, a Chinese doctoral student at Dartmouth College, is challenging the administration alongside the ACLU of New Hampshire, arguing that he was not involved in any protest and had committed no crimes.
The lawsuits accuse the administration of violating constitutional rights, particularly freedom of speech and protection from unlawful detention. The developments have created a chilling effect across campuses, raising urgent questions about civil liberties and the future of international students in the US. With over 1.1 million international students in the US, the impact of these revocations could be far-reaching.
Some universities are struggling to respond to the situation, particularly small colleges with limited resources. International student offices are overwhelmed, and many students are seeking legal representation to challenge the visa revocations. The National Association for Foreign Student Affairs has expressed concern about the impact on higher education and the economy.
Affected Universities:
– Ivy League Institutions:
– Harvard, Yale, Columbia & Stanford
– Large Public Universities:
– University of Florida, Texas A&M & University of California system
– Other Universities:
– Arizona State University, UC campuses (at least 57 cases), Tufts University & Dartmouth College
The Trump administration’s crackdown on international students has raised concerns about the future of higher education in the US. As the situation continues to disclose, it remains to be seen how universities and the government will respond to the growing controversy.
