The United States has revoked the visas of over 1,400 international students, many of whom were reportedly involved in pro-Palestine protests across university campuses, marking one of the most sweeping actions against student activism in recent U.S. history.
According to educational sources, at least 1,489 students have had their visas cancelled since March 2025. The cancellations span more than 240 institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, Ohio State, and the University of Maryland.
This development follows the return of President Donald Trump to office in January 2025 and aligns with his administration’s aggressive stance against what it describes as “imported activism.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move targets individuals promoting “anti-Semitic and pro-Hamas sentiment” under the guise of campus protests.
“They’re here to study. They’re not here to lead activist movements,” Rubio declared on March 28.
However, lawyers, students, and faculty members say many of the targeted individuals were merely expressing peaceful support for Palestine, either through social media or participation in non-violent demonstrations. These protests often included Jewish advocacy groups and progressive student organisations.
Fear and uncertainty grip campuses
Hafsa Kanjwal, an associate professor at Lafayette College, noted that the mass visa revocations have left many international students in limbo.
“Some students and faculty don’t have a place to ‘go back’ to, given the political turmoil in their respective places of origin. Most campuses have not really provided reassurances to international students and faculty to address their concerns,” she told Al Jazeera.
Another faculty member, speaking anonymously, said fear has intensified among immigrant and international students.
“They’re terrified that some small mistake—anything they posted or said—might get them abducted and deported. What the Trump administration wants to do is communicate to immigrants and international students that their rights here are in fact privileges,” the professor said.
The source also claimed the administration is using the issue to “discipline universities and force them to crack down on liberal and left content in classrooms.”
University response and legal support
Several universities are pushing back, like George Mason University is working with legal counsel and federal agencies to understand the basis for the visa cancellations. Some are also providing legal aid and academic accommodations to affected students.
Top institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, and Ohio State University, along with smaller liberal arts colleges, have all been affected.
While the Trump administration maintains its position that the revocations are about maintaining campus order and national security, critics say the move signals a troubling escalation in the suppression of dissent and academic freedom, especially among vulnerable student populations.
