According to recent reports from American media, the number of international students whose visas have been canceled has risen to 450. Initially, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had announced a week ago that 300 students’ visas had been revoked. Among the universities affected by these cancellations are prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, the University of Michigan, UCLA, the University of Texas Austin, Minnesota State University Mankato, and Ohio State University.
Targeted Actions Against Pro-Palestinian Protesters and Visa Violations
Reports indicate that the Trump administration is particularly focused on revoking the visas of students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests. However, some students who did not engage in any demonstrations have also seen their visas revoked. Additionally, in some cases, the revocation has been linked to students violating traffic laws.
Changes in the Visa Cancellation Process
In the past, universities would notify the government if a student’s visa status was violated, prompting official action. However, now the Homeland Security database directly flags canceled visas. Previously, even if a student’s visa was canceled, they were allowed to retain their residential status and finish their studies. They were only prohibited from returning home without securing a new visa. With the recent changes, if a student’s residential status is terminated and they do not leave the U.S., they could face arrest.
