The US State Department has revoked more than 6,000 international student visas because of violations of US law and overstays, the department told the BBC. The decision highlights the Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdown, with US student visas revoked in record numbers.
The agency said the “vast majority” of the violations were related to assault, driving under the influence (DUI), burglary, and “support for terrorism.” While the State Department did not define what it meant by “support for terrorism,” the Trump administration has previously targeted students who protested in support of Palestine, accusing them of antisemitic behaviour.
Reasons for revocation
Of the 6,000 student visas that were revoked, the State Department confirmed that about 4,000 cases were linked to breaking US law. A further 200–300 student visas were revoked under “terrorism done under INA 3B,” referring to a code that defines terrorist activity broadly as acts that endanger human life or violate federal law.
The surge in US student visas revoked comes after earlier disruptions this year, when the Trump administration paused visa appointments for international students. Appointments resumed in June, but with new requirements: applicants must now make their social media accounts public for enhanced screening.
Officials said they would examine posts for “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.” They also instructed officers to identify applicants who “advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to national security, or who perpetrate unlawful anti-Semitic harassment or violence.”
Policy shift and political reactions
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers in May that he estimated “thousands” of student visas had been rescinded since January. “I don’t know the latest count, but we probably have more to do,” Rubio said on 20 May. “We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities.”
Democrats, however, have criticised the mass US student visas revoked, describing the policy as an attack on due process and academic freedom.
More than 1.1 million international students from over 210 countries were enrolled in US colleges during the 2023–24 academic year, according to Open Doors, an organisation that tracks foreign student data. The revocations are likely to raise concerns about America’s ability to remain a top destination for higher education.
Also read: US freezes student visa appointments
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
