US Revokes 300+ Student Visas Amid Crackdown on Campus Protests

US revokes over 300 student visas in a crackdown on campus protests, citing national security concerns. Arrests spark legal challenges and protests.

 

Georgetown, Guyana – The United States has revoked at least 300 foreign students' visas as part of an ongoing effort to curb pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

 

"Maybe more than 300 at this point," Rubio stated while speaking to reporters during his visit to Guyana. "We do it every day, every time I find one of these lunatics."

 

The statement follows an increasing number of visa revocations targeting students involved in protests that the administration deems anti-Israeli. Rubio defended the actions, emphasizing that students using their visas to engage in activism rather than academic pursuits would face consequences.

 

One high-profile case involves Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, who was recently detained by masked immigration officers in Boston. A video of her arrest has gone viral, prompting backlash and protests online. Ozturk, a Fulbright Scholar on an F-1 student visa, is studying Child Study and Human Development.

 

When asked about the revocation of Ozturk’s visa, Rubio responded, "If you apply for a student visa and come to the US not just to study but to participate in movements that vandalize universities, harass students, and cause chaos, we're not giving you that visa."

 

Despite the administration's claims, Ozturk has not been charged with any crime. Her lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, argued that her client’s detention is linked to her advocacy work, including co-authoring a student newspaper article urging divestment from companies linked to Israel.

 

The crackdown aligns with the Trump administration's broader efforts to combat antisemitism on college campuses. Under a January executive order, the White House has already revoked $400 million in federal funding for Columbia University, citing alleged failures to curb antisemitism, and has threatened other institutions with similar penalties.

 

Meanwhile, concerns over civil liberties have escalated. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren condemned Ozturk’s arrest, calling it "an attack on our Constitution and basic freedoms." She argued that the administration is "ripping people out of their communities without due process."

 

Another high-profile case involves Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate who remains detained in Louisiana without charges. Similarly, Yunseo Chung, a Columbia University student and legal permanent resident from South Korea, faced deportation efforts before a federal judge ordered a halt to his removal.

 

The US government has been directed to provide more details regarding Ozturk’s detention by Friday. In the meantime, Rubio reaffirmed his stance, stating, "We issue visas for education, not activism. If you lie to get the visa and then engage in these activities, we will revoke it."