- Over 6,000 student visas revoked by US over law violations and alleged terrorism links.
- New screening policies require students to make social media accounts public.
- Critics say the move targets student protesters and undermines due process.
The United States government, under the leadership of Donald Trump, revoked over 6,000 visas previously issued to international students, citing violations of U.S. laws, visa overstays, and alleged links to terrorism.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the US State Department revealed that a significant number of the visa cancellations were linked to criminal offences such as assault, burglary, driving under the influence (DUI), and in some cases, allegations of involvement or support for terrorist activities.
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Roughly 4,000 of the revoked visas were due to general violations of US laws, while between 200 and 300 were rescinded under Section 3B of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which broadly defines terrorist activity to include actions that threaten human life or contravene US laws.
This move is part of a broader immigration enforcement agenda under former President Donald Trump, whose administration had long championed stricter immigration controls and tighter scrutiny of student visas.
Although the State Department did not offer a detailed explanation of what it considers support for terrorism, recent actions by US authorities have targeted foreign students participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations, with some accused of promoting antisemitic sentiments.
The US resumed student visa appointments in June after a temporary suspension, but now requires applicants to make their social media profiles public as part of a more rigorous screening process.
According to the State Department, the enhanced checks are aimed at identifying any signs of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, told lawmakers in May that the government is committed to intensifying its review of international students.
“We have already cancelled thousands of student visas since January,” he said, adding that more revocations could follow.
The policy shift has drawn criticism from civil liberties groups and immigration advocates who describe it as a threat to due process and academic freedom.
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Despite the growing restrictions, the United States remains a key destination for foreign students. According to Open Doors, an education-focused organisation, more than 1.1 million international students from over 210 countries enrolled in US universities during the 2023/24 academic session.
