The U.S. State Department has revoked more than 6,000 student visas since 2020, citing violations ranging from overstays to alleged support for terrorism, according to a senior official. The move aligns with heightened immigration scrutiny under the previous administration, including expanded social media vetting and screenings for political activism ties.
Approximately 4,000 visas were canceled due to legal breaches, primarily assault-related offenses, while 200–300 revocations stemmed from terrorism-related concerns under the Foreign Affairs Manual. Officials did not specify which groups were linked to the latter cases.
The policy shift coincides with heightened tensions between U.S. authorities and academic institutions over campus protests related to the Gaza conflict. Former President Donald Trump previously accused universities of tolerating antisemitism during pro-Palestinian demonstrations, leading to frozen research funds and threats to tax-exempt statuses. European countries have since ramped up grants to attract displaced scholars.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed hundreds of visa cancellations for activities deemed contradictory to foreign policy priorities. Administration officials have also warned that green card holders and visa recipients criticizing Israel’s military actions in Gaza risk deportation over alleged pro-Hamas sympathies.
The crackdown has sparked debates about academic freedom and the balancing of national security with educational exchange programs critical to U.S. global research leadership.
