Student Visa Revocations Sweep Through U.S. Campuses
More than 600 international students and recent graduates across the United States have lost their visas or had their immigration status changed, according to data collected from over 100 colleges and universities. Many of these cases involve students on F-1 and J-1 visas, with some citing participation in pro-Palestinian activism as a reason for the action. Others were reportedly targeted for minor infractions such as traffic violations.
Institutions report confusion and concern over the wave of visa revocations, with most students and universities receiving little to no communication from immigration authorities. Inside Higher Ed, which compiled the data through public reports and direct correspondence, published the findings on April 8 and continues to update the list regularly. The trend has raised alarms within academic circles, particularly as some schools struggle to determine the cause or receive explanations from the government.
AI-Driven Monitoring and Escalating Deportations OF Student Visa
The U.S. State Department’s new “Catch and Revoke” initiative, reportedly powered by artificial intelligence, is playing a central role in the crackdown. The program monitors social media for signs that foreign nationals may support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the initiative had already revoked more than 300 visas in its first three weeks and described student protesters as “lunatics” during a press briefing in Guyana.
The scope of the crackdown has extended beyond political activism. Student Visa with minor offenses, such as expired vehicle registrations or speeding tickets, have also been caught in the sweep. An online database, maintained by affected students, shows that students from at least 50 universities had their visas cancelled around April 4. The wide-ranging revocations have sparked fears of overreach and lack of due process.
One prominent case is that of Felipe Zapata Velázquez, a Colombian student at the University of Florida, who was arrested on March 28 for traffic violations and later deported. His family said he is now recovering physically and emotionally. Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost condemned the deportation, calling it part of “Trump’s disgusting campaign against immigrants.”
Free Speech, Political Activism, and the Future of Student Rights
Critics argue that the visa cancellations could infringe on First Amendment rights, particularly in cases where students have engaged in peaceful protest or written opinion pieces. Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, and Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, are currently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after participating in pro-Palestinian activism. Both are contesting their deportations, citing free speech protections.
Civil liberties groups, educators, and student organizations are calling for greater transparency and due process, warning that the government’s current approach sets a dangerous precedent. As visa revocations continue, questions mount over the balance between national security and the right to protest—especially for international students seeking an education in the United States.
