Student Visa Crackdown Hits Huge Milestone

More than 1,000 student visas have been revoked as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigrants involved in campus protests and political activism.

Why It Matters

The Trump administration has announced plans to revoke visas for foreign students linked to what it calls pro-Hamas activities, including involvement in campus protests and distributing materials such as flyers. It is part of Trump's executive order targeting antisemitism.

The revocation of visas is primarily focused on students engaged in protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Students involved in activities such as distributing flyers or participating in demonstrations against the war in Gaza have been targeted. However, the move has sparked criticism from some who argue it infringes on First Amendment rights, particularly regarding free speech.

What To Know

As of 5 p.m. EDT on April 14, data from Inside Higher Ed shows that at least 1,179 students have had their visas revoked.

The database tracks these visa revocations across colleges and universities nationwide. It includes information on institutions where students' F-1 and J-1 student visas have been revoked. The data is being updated regularly to highlight the growing number of cases.

Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have led a crackdown on student visas, calling for their revocation in cases where students express what they deem "pro-terrorist" sympathies, whether through campus protests or op-eds.

The directive has fueled a surge in immigration enforcement targeting pro-Palestinian supporters, resulting in high-profile detentions.

Among them is Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate student, who was arrested at the university-owned apartment he shares with his pregnant wife.

Khalil's friend, Mohsen Mahdawi, a green card holder was detained by federal agents as he arrived for a citizenship appointment Monday.

Rumeysa Ozturk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, was apprehended after surveillance footage captured her walking through Somerville, Massachusetts.

Federal immigration authorities detained Aditya Harsono from a hospital basement days after his student visa was revoked. His wife told Newsweek she believes his pro-Palestine beliefs played a role in his detention.

Rubio, in a statement on March 27, confirmed that over 300 student visas had already been revoked. Rubio referred to the students as "lunatics" and accused them of using their student visas not only to study, but "cause chaos."

The U.S. State Department has not provided a full breakdown of the specific activities that led to the visa cancellations, but the ongoing action has prompted widespread concern.

A department spokesperson said the agency does not comment on individual visa cases due to privacy and confidentiality concerns.

What People Are Saying

Luna Droubi, partner at Beldock Levine & Hoffman and attorney for Mohsen Mahdawi, in a statement to Newsweek: "The Trump administration detained Mohsen Mahdawi in direct retaliation for his advocacy on behalf of Palestinians and because of his identity as a Palestinian. His detention is an attempt to silence those who speak out against the atrocities in Gaza. It is also unconstitutional."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, in March: "This administration is not going to tolerate individuals having the privilege of studying in our country and then siding with pro-terrorist organizations that have killed Americans."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in March. "If you apply for a student visa to come to the United States and you say you're coming not just to study, but to participate in movements that vandalize universities, harass students, take over buildings, and cause chaos, we're not giving you that visa."

What Happens Next

The administration is expected to revoke more student visas as part of the president's agenda to carry out what he calls the largest deportation program in U.S. history.