The State Department has annulled more than 6,000 visas issued to international students due to infractions of American law and prolonged stays beyond permitted limits, the department confirmed to the BBC.
Officials stated that the “overwhelming majority” of these infractions involved offenses such as assault, driving while intoxicated (DWI), theft, and “affiliation with terrorism.”
This development aligns with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration policies and scrutinize foreign students more rigorously.
Although the State Department did not elaborate on what constituted “support for terrorism” the Trump administration has previously taken action against students who demonstrated in favor of Palestine, alleging that some of their actions amounted to anti-Semitic behaviour.
Of the revoked visas, approximately 4,000 were rescinded due to criminal activity, according to the State Department.
An additional 200 to 300 visas were canceled under the provision “terrorism under INA 3B,” a legal classification that broadly defines terrorist acts as those that threaten human life or contravene US law.
Stricter Vetting Measures Introduced
Earlier in the year, the Trump administration temporarily halted visa interviews for international students. When appointments resumed in June, officials announced that applicants would be required to disclose their social media profiles for more thorough background checks.
Authorities said they would examine profiles for “any signs of animosity toward American citizens, culture, government, institutions, or foundational values.”
Visa officers were also directed to identify individuals who “promote, assist, or endorse recognized foreign terrorist groups and other national security threats; or who engage in unlawful antisemitic intimidation or violence.”
In May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Congress that he believed “thousands” of student visas had been canceled since the beginning of the year.
“I don’t know the latest count, but we probably have more to do,” Rubio told US lawmakers on 20 May. “We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities.”
Democratic lawmakers have criticized the administration’s actions, arguing that the visa cancellations undermine legal protections and due process.
According to Open Doors, a group that tracks international student data, over 1.1 million students from more than 210 nations were enrolled in US universities during the 2023–2024 academic year.
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