US Revokes More Than 6,000 International Student Visas
The US State Department has revoked over 6,000 international student visas due to violations of law and overstays, officials confirmed to the BBC.
The department said the “vast majority” of cases involved criminal offenses such as assault, burglary, and driving under the influence (DUI), while several hundred were linked to what it described as “support for terrorism.” Officials did not clarify the definition, though the Trump administration has previously targeted students who protested in support of Palestine, labeling some of their actions as antisemitic.
Of the revoked visas, about 4,000 were tied to criminal violations, while 200–300 were linked to terrorism under the Immigration and Nationality Act’s Section 3B, which defines terrorist activity broadly as acts that endanger human life or violate US law.
The move comes as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigration and international students. Earlier this year, the State Department paused student visa appointments, later resuming them with new requirements for applicants to make their social media accounts public for enhanced vetting. Officials said they were screening for signs of hostility toward US citizens, institutions, or culture, as well as support for designated terrorist groups.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers in May that “thousands” of student visas had already been rescinded, adding, “We probably have more to do.” Democrats have criticized the effort, calling it an attack on due process.
More than 1.1 million international students from over 210 countries studied in US colleges during the 2023–24 academic year, according to Open Doors.
The US State Department has revoked over 6,000 international student visas due to violations of law and overstays, officials confirmed to the BBC.
The department said the “vast majority” of cases involved criminal offenses such as assault, burglary, and driving under the influence (DUI), while several hundred were linked to what it described as “support for terrorism.” Officials did not clarify the definition, though the Trump administration has previously targeted students who protested in support of Palestine, labeling some of their actions as antisemitic.
Of the revoked visas, about 4,000 were tied to criminal violations, while 200–300 were linked to terrorism under the Immigration and Nationality Act’s Section 3B, which defines terrorist activity broadly as acts that endanger human life or violate US law.
The move comes as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigration and international students. Earlier this year, the State Department paused student visa appointments, later resuming them with new requirements for applicants to make their social media accounts public for enhanced vetting. Officials said they were screening for signs of hostility toward US citizens, institutions, or culture, as well as support for designated terrorist groups.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers in May that “thousands” of student visas had already been rescinded, adding, “We probably have more to do.” Democrats have criticized the effort, calling it an attack on due process.
More than 1.1 million international students from over 210 countries studied in US colleges during the 2023–24 academic year, according to Open Doors.
US Revokes More Than 6,000 International Student Visas
The US State Department has revoked over 6,000 international student visas due to violations of law and overstays, officials confirmed to the BBC.
The department said the “vast majority” of cases involved criminal offenses such as assault, burglary, and driving under the influence (DUI), while several hundred were linked to what it described as “support for terrorism.” Officials did not clarify the definition, though the Trump administration has previously targeted students who protested in support of Palestine, labeling some of their actions as antisemitic.
Of the revoked visas, about 4,000 were tied to criminal violations, while 200–300 were linked to terrorism under the Immigration and Nationality Act’s Section 3B, which defines terrorist activity broadly as acts that endanger human life or violate US law.
The move comes as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigration and international students. Earlier this year, the State Department paused student visa appointments, later resuming them with new requirements for applicants to make their social media accounts public for enhanced vetting. Officials said they were screening for signs of hostility toward US citizens, institutions, or culture, as well as support for designated terrorist groups.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers in May that “thousands” of student visas had already been rescinded, adding, “We probably have more to do.” Democrats have criticized the effort, calling it an attack on due process.
More than 1.1 million international students from over 210 countries studied in US colleges during the 2023–24 academic year, according to Open Doors.
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