The US State Department has revoked more than 6,000 visas issued to international students, citing violations of American laws, visa overstays, and national security concerns.
Officials said many of the cases involved offenses such as assault, DUI, burglary, and what was broadly categorized as “support for terrorism.”
The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to tighten immigration controls. While the State Department did not clarify its definition of “support for terrorism,” the administration has previously faced criticism for targeting students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, accusing some of antisemitic conduct.
According to officials, around 4,000 of the revoked visas were linked to criminal activity. An additional 200–300 were canceled under Section 3B of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which defines terrorism as acts that endanger lives or violate US law.
Earlier in the year, the administration briefly suspended visa appointments for international students before resuming them in June under stricter vetting rules. Applicants are now required to share access to their social media accounts so that officials can screen for possible hostility toward the US government, institutions, or citizens.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the revocations before lawmakers, noting that more cancellations are likely.
“We will continue to revoke the visas of those who come here as guests but disrupt our higher education system,” he said.
The decision has sparked criticism from Democrats, who argue that the policy erodes due process protections and unfairly singles out foreign students.
Despite the crackdown, the United States remains the world’s leading destination for international students, with more than 1.1 million enrolled in American universities and colleges during the 2023–24 academic year, according to Open Doors.
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