US Revokes Over 300 Student and Visitor Visas Amid Crackdown on Campus Protests
The United States has intensified its crackdown on foreign students involved in protests, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming that over 300 student and visitor visas have been revoked. The latest move comes after the arrest and detention of Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, who had voiced support for Palestinians in Israel’s war in Gaza. The Trump administration has made it clear that it will not tolerate what it deems as "vandalism" and "harassment" on college campuses, taking strict measures against students participating in protests that are seen as counter to US foreign policy.
The issue gained national attention when Ozturk was detained in Somerville, Massachusetts, by masked and plainclothes agents. While US officials have not provided specific details on her alleged violations, Rubio stated that her case met the criteria for visa revocation. "Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas," Rubio said, emphasizing that the administration is actively looking for more students to remove. He further stated that the revoked visas were a mix of student and visitor visas, with no indication of when the crackdown might end.
Rubio’s comments reflect the administration’s broader stance on student activism, particularly regarding protests linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to Rubio, students who engage in "vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, or creating a ruckus" will face consequences, including visa revocation. The administration argues that such actions go beyond peaceful demonstrations and are a direct threat to law and order on campuses.
Ozturk’s case has sparked debate on whether the crackdown is a violation of free speech. She had co-authored an opinion piece in Tufts Daily, the university’s student newspaper, criticizing the school’s response to calls for divestment from companies linked to Israel. Her supporters argue that her detention is politically motivated and an attack on academic freedom. Mahsa Khanbabai, Ozturk’s lawyer, described the accusations against her client as "baseless," pointing out that she has not been charged with any crime. "It appears the only thing she is being targeted for is her right to free speech," Khanbabai said.
Despite legal challenges, Ozturk’s situation remains uncertain. After her arrest, her lawyer filed a lawsuit arguing that her detention was unlawful. A federal judge in Boston initially ruled that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could not move her out of Massachusetts without a 48-hour notice. However, the US Department of Justice later revealed that Ozturk was already in Louisiana when the lawsuit was filed, complicating efforts to challenge her detention.
The Trump administration’s actions have drawn criticism from civil rights advocates, who see them as part of a broader effort to suppress dissent. Pro-Palestinian activists in the US have been facing increasing scrutiny, with authorities labeling certain protests as antisemitic or a threat to national security. The administration insists that it is only targeting individuals who engage in unlawful activities. "The people that we're getting rid of in our country are vandalizing, they're not protesters," Rubio said. "They're taking over college campuses. They're harassing fellow students... They're not demonstrating, they're going beyond demonstration."
The crackdown has sparked concerns among international students, many of whom now fear speaking out on political issues. Universities have long been spaces for activism and free expression, but the recent visa revocations raise questions about the extent to which foreign students can participate in protests without facing repercussions. Critics argue that the administration is using visa laws as a tool for political suppression, setting a dangerous precedent for restricting speech.
At the same time, the Trump administration’s supporters believe that the crackdown is necessary to maintain order on campuses. They argue that protests have become increasingly disruptive, with some demonstrations escalating into acts of vandalism or harassment. The administration’s approach aligns with its broader immigration policies, which prioritize national security and law enforcement over concerns about civil liberties.
The situation has also fueled tensions between the US and countries whose students are affected by the visa revocations. Turkey, in particular, has been closely monitoring Ozturk’s case. While there has been no official statement from the Turkish government, the incident is likely to strain relations between the two countries. The Fulbright Program, under which Ozturk was studying, is meant to foster international educational exchange, and her detention could discourage other students from pursuing academic opportunities in the US.
As the Trump administration continues its crackdown, students and academic institutions are left grappling with the implications. The revocation of over 300 visas is a significant escalation, signaling that the government is prepared to take aggressive action against foreign students involved in protests. Whether this will lead to further legal challenges or policy changes remains to be seen.
For now, the message from the administration is clear: any student who engages in protests deemed disruptive or contrary to US foreign policy risks losing their visa. With the 2024 election cycle behind them, Trump and his team appear committed to enforcing stricter policies on student activism, further shaping the landscape of political expression in American universities.