The Trump administration has taken a controversial step by revoking the visas of hundreds of international students and detaining around a dozen individuals on college campuses across the United States, often without prior notice or the ability to appeal. This sweeping action has triggered widespread concern and unease among the international student community.
Viral videos have captured the moments when plain-clothes officers handcuffed and arrested students near their homes, shocking viewers and sparking fear among students nationwide. The situation has escalated to the point where over 80 universities have reported cases of revoked student visas, as documented by a tracker maintained by Inside Higher Ed. These reports span institutions from coast to coast, impacting students and faculty alike.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed last month that over 300 visas have already been revoked. He explained the department’s stance by saying it was targeting individuals whose actions were seen as being contrary to U.S. national interests. “It might be more” than 300 visas, Rubio noted, hinting at the broader scope of the effort. “I don’t know actually if it’s primarily student visas. It’s a combination of visas,” he said.
A significant number of the students affected had participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, though some cases involved individuals with prior legal issues. These infractions ranged from criminal records to minor offenses such as speeding or a previous DUI, according to immigration attorneys familiar with the cases. For instance, CBS News reported on a Turkish student from the University of Minnesota who was detained in March after his visa was revoked due to a prior drunk driving offense.
Despite the legal infractions in some cases, immigration experts emphasize that students on visas are entitled to First Amendment rights, including freedom of speech. Deportations over political expression have historically been rare, but the temporary nature of student visas makes these individuals more vulnerable.
Many students have filed lawsuits against the federal government, arguing that their visas were suddenly revoked without any warning or an avenue for appeal or correction. Rubio has justified the government’s position by stating that student visas are intended for education, and that they will be revoked if foreign students are perceived to be engaging in actions that could “destabilize” the country.
Students and advocates have questioned the legality and fairness of these measures. “No president should be allowed to set an ideological litmus test and exclude or remove people from our country who they disagree with,” the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stated in a public response. The White House, meanwhile, has defended its actions by invoking a 1952 law that gives the Secretary of State broad authority to expel foreigners who might pose “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences” for the U.S.
The crackdown has touched a wide range of educational institutions. Inside Higher Ed has listed more than 80 universities where international students or recent graduates have experienced changes to their legal status. These include large public universities such as Texas A&M University, University of Florida, University of Oregon, and University of Colorado, as well as elite private institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, Stanford University, Columbia University, and Dartmouth College.
Specific numbers reveal the scale of the action. At least eight students from Arizona State University and six individuals from the University of California, Berkeley have had their visas revoked, according to the Washington Post. The Wall Street Journal reports that 57 visas were withdrawn across the entire University of California system, and another seven from Ohio State University. In total, the U.S. is home to approximately 1.1 million international student visa holders.
Beyond the revocation of visas, several students and faculty have been detained, including individuals who hold permanent legal residency in the U.S. After being taken into custody, they are sent to detention centers while awaiting deportation proceedings.
Video evidence has shown plain-clothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers apprehending startled and distressed students, often placing them into unmarked vehicles. Some of those detained claim they were never given a reason for their arrest and maintain that they committed no crime.
One of the most high-profile cases is that of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and legal permanent resident. He was arrested in his university-owned home in March. Another prominent case involves Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national and student at Tufts University. In widely circulated footage, she is seen trembling with fear while being surrounded by six plain-clothes ICE agents wearing masks. She was intercepted while on her way to a Ramadan celebration.
Another case that drew attention was the deportation of Rasha Alawieh, a professor at Brown University and a kidney transplant specialist. U.S. officials claimed they found “photos and videos” on her phone that expressed sympathies toward Hezbollah.
Some students who faced the revocation of their visas have fled to Canada to avoid deportation. These include Momodou Taal and Ranjani Srinivasan, both of whom were reportedly affected by the visa cancellations.
The situation has prompted legal challenges from students and civil rights organizations. Several lawsuits have been filed against the federal government, accusing it of detaining individuals without explanation or legal basis—potentially violating their civil rights. The legal efforts aim to delay or block deportations and seek redress for what plaintiffs say are unjust and unlawful actions.
One of the key legal battles involves Xiaotian Liu, a 26-year-old doctoral student from China studying at Dartmouth College. Liu is suing the government with the support of the ACLU of New Hampshire. The lawsuit claims his visa was revoked “without any notice and sufficient explanation.” According to court filings, Liu has not committed any crimes nor has he participated in any protests.
As the number of affected students continues to grow, so does the concern among academic institutions and human rights groups. Faculty members across the country have raised alarms about the implications this crackdown could have on academic freedom and the right of students to engage in political discourse.
The Trump administration’s actions have reignited debates about immigration policy, free speech, and the rights of non-citizens within U.S. borders. With lawsuits moving forward and public outcry building, the future remains uncertain for many international students who had come to the U.S. to study—only to find themselves facing detention, deportation, or the sudden loss of legal status.