Revoked Visas for Over 6000 International Students by the US State Department
Marco Rubio, as part of the U.S. State Department's efforts, has revoked over 6,000 student visas in 2025. This move has sparked debate and raised concerns about due process, freedom of speech, and the rights of non-citizens.
Reasons for Revocation
The primary reasons for the visa revocations include overstays, law violations, and alleged support for terrorism. Approximately 200 to 300 students had their visas revoked due to suspected ties to terrorism, such as raising funds for Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
The majority of the revocations, about two-thirds, were due to offenses such as assault, driving under the influence, burglary, and other criminal activities.
Nationalities Affected
While the reports do not specify the nationalities of the majority of the revoked students, Secretary Rubio has announced plans to aggressively revoke Chinese student visas. There have also been cases involving students from other countries, such as a Turkish student at Tufts University who had her visa temporarily revoked.
Legal Implications
The revocations have significant legal implications, with critics arguing that they violate due process rights, as students are reportedly being deported with little warning or explanation. Defenders of the policy argue that U.S. immigration law allows for the revocation of visas at any time for any reason, citing historical legal precedents.
The revocations have created uncertainty and legal limbo for affected students, causing institutions to scramble in response and potentially impacting their ability to advise and reassure international students.
Notable Cases
Two notable cases include the acquittal of student Mahmoud Khalil, who has a permanent residence permit in the U.S., in a high-profile case related to pro-Palestinian protests at New York University's Columbia University. Another case involves Turkish student Rümeysa Öztürk, who was provisionally acquitted in May after being arrested for writing an Israel-critical article.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that non-U.S. citizens do not have the constitutional right to free speech. However, the article does not provide information on the nationality of Mahmoud Khalil or Rümeysa Öztürk, nor does it mention any specific court cases related to the revocation of their student visas.
Rubio's Stance
Rubio has previously announced a tough stance against Chinese students and has been accused of targeting individuals who protest against the Israeli government and its actions in the Gaza Strip, accusing them of antisemitism.
The State Department did not provide information on the nationality of the expelled students, and no information was provided about any setbacks in court regarding the revocation of student visas. The article does not mention any specific court cases related to the acquittal of Mahmoud Khalil or Rümeysa Öztürk.
The remaining one-third of the revoked visas were due to individuals overstaying their visas.
