U.S. Revokes Visas of Nearly 300 International Students, Sparking Fears of Mass Deportation

Nearly 300 international students across the United States have recently had their visas revoked—many without formal explanation. The revocations, affecting students at top-tier institutions like Harvard and Stanford as well as public universities such as the University of Texas at Austin and Minnesota State University-Mankato, have raised the alarm about an increasingly hostile environment for foreign students in the U.S.

The University of California system alone has reported dozens of such cases across its various campuses. Immigration attorneys and school administrators say the visa terminations appear to be part of a broader crackdown that may be politically motivated.

According to interviews with immigration lawyers, many students received abrupt notices from the U.S. State Department or their universities notifying them that their immigration status had been cancelled. Some were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while others were advised to leave the country or risk deportation proceedings.

“Students are calling us in a panic, not knowing why they’re being targeted,” said one immigration attorney, noting that in several cases, no specific reason was given for the termination. “They’re being left in the dark.”

While criminal convictions have traditionally been grounds for visa revocation, recent cases have included students with only minor legal infractions—such as speeding tickets or past DUI charges. More troubling to advocates is the apparent targeting of students involved in pro-Palestinian activism, especially in light of campus protests that swept U.S. universities in 2024.

Last month, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and permanent resident, was arrested at his home and transferred to a detention center in Louisiana. Shortly thereafter, Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk was reportedly detained by ICE while en route to meet friends. Ozturk, a Turkish national, had authored a pro-Palestinian opinion piece. Both detentions have raised serious concerns about political retaliation.

The policy shift is seen as aligning with former President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, which has emphasized reducing both legal and undocumented immigration. In late March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed U.S. diplomats to scrutinize social media posts by visa applicants, particularly those critical of Israel or the U.S. government.

The State Department and Department of Homeland Security have so far declined to comment on the visa terminations, leaving universities scrambling to provide legal support and guidance to affected students.

With over 400,000 student visas issued in 2024, advocates fear these sudden crackdowns could deter international students from choosing the U.S. as a study destination. “This creates a chilling effect,” said one education advocate. “It undermines trust in the U.S. higher education system and jeopardizes its global standing.”

For many affected students, the uncertainty is devastating. Without valid visas, they face immediate risks of detention and deportation. Some have already left the country voluntarily, fearing that staying could lead to arrest.