The United States government has revoked more than 6,000 visas belonging to international students, citing immigration violations, criminal activity, overstays, and national security concerns.
Officials confirmed to the BBC that many of the cancellations were tied to offenses such as assault, driving under the influence (DUI), burglary, and what was broadly described as “support for terrorism.
The action is part of the Trump administration’s broader clampdown on immigration and foreign students.
Although the State Department did not define what constituted “support for terrorism, critics note that the administration has previously taken aim at students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, accusing them of antisemitic conduct.
Of the revoked visas, approximately 4,000 were linked to criminal activity, while between 200 and 300 were canceled under Section 3B of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which classifies terrorism as acts that endanger human life or violate US law.
Earlier this year, the government had also suspended visa appointments for foreign students before resuming them in June under stricter vetting protocols. Applicants are now required to provide access to their social media accounts for screening, enabling consular officers to detect any signs of hostility toward the US government, its institutions, or its citizens.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the tougher measures during a May appearance before lawmakers. We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities, he declared.
The decision has attracted criticism from Democratic lawmakers who argue that the sweeping cancellations undermine due process and unfairly single out international students.
Despite the clampdown, the US continues to be a leading hub for international education. According to Open Doors data, more than 1.1 million foreign students were enrolled in American colleges during the 2023–24 academic year.
