The United States government has revoked more than 6,000 visas belonging to international students, citing violations ranging from criminal offenses to national security risks.
According to officials, the majority of the cancellations were linked to criminal activities, including assault, burglary, and driving under the influence. Others were reportedly revoked under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act that classify certain activities as “support for terrorism.”
The latest action is part of President Donald Trump’s administration’s broader clampdown on immigration and foreign students. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress in May that “thousands of student visas” had already been withdrawn and warned that more would follow.
“We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities,” Rubio said.
Of the revoked visas, around 4,000 were directly tied to criminal conduct, while between 200 and 300 fell under terrorism-related classifications. However, the State Department has not provided detailed clarification on what constituted “support for terrorism,” though the administration has previously targeted students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, accusing them of antisemitic behavior.
Earlier this year, the U.S. temporarily suspended visa appointments for foreign students before resuming them with stricter screening requirements. Under the new rules, applicants must now provide access to their social media accounts, enabling U.S. officers to vet online activities for potential hostility toward American institutions and citizens.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and civil liberties advocates, who argue that the measures undermine due process and unfairly profile foreign students. Critics warn that the policy could harm America’s reputation as a global hub for higher education.
Despite the clampdown, the U.S. remains a leading destination for international scholars. Data from the Open Doors report shows that more than 1.1 million foreign students were enrolled in American universities during the 2023–2024 academic year.
The development has sparked diplomatic concern among countries whose students are affected, with some governments expected to issue official responses in the coming days.
