The United States has revoked the visas of more than 1,400 international students, many of whom reportedly participated in pro-Palestine protests across university campuses, sparking concern over academic freedom and civil liberties.
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Since March 2025, at least 1,489 student visas have been cancelled across 240 institutions—including Harvard, Stanford, Ohio State, and the University of Maryland—amid heightened scrutiny from the Trump administration, which returned to power in January.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the move, saying it is meant to curb what the administration terms “imported activism” and crack down on perceived anti-Semitic and pro-Hamas sentiment on campuses.
“They’re here to study. They’re not here to lead activist movements,” Rubio said in a press briefing on March 28.
However, civil liberties groups and student organizations argue that the visa cancellations target peaceful dissent. Many of those affected were reportedly involved in nonviolent demonstrations or made social media posts expressing solidarity with Palestine—actions often shared with Jewish student groups and progressive coalitions.
“This is a sweeping attempt to intimidate students and faculty who criticize U.S. foreign policy or express solidarity with oppressed people,” said Hafsa Kanjwal, an associate professor at Lafayette College. She described the atmosphere as one of fear and uncertainty, especially for students who cannot return to their home countries due to political instability.
An anonymous faculty member added, “Even students who stayed silent are now deleting their online presence out of fear. The message from this administration is that immigrant rights are conditional—and silence is the safest option.”
Universities like George Mason are consulting legal counsel to better understand the scope of the visa revocations and have begun offering legal aid and academic support to affected students. Yet many institutions remain largely silent, exacerbating fears among international scholars.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also announced that antisemitic conduct, including online content, could now disqualify individuals from receiving or retaining visas or green cards. This policy extends to foreign nationals found to support groups labeled as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
The move is seen by critics as an attempt to suppress leftist academic content and restrict immigration pathways under the guise of national security
As tension continues to rise on campuses, the fate of hundreds of international students—and the future of open discourse in American universities—remains uncertain.
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