Trump Administration Revokes Hundreds of International Student Visas, Causing Campus Turmoil

Sweeping changes under the Trump administration have led to the revocation of hundreds of international student visas, prompting a frantic rush for these students to depart the U.S. swiftly. In some instances, these revocations are linked to minor infractions or involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, leaving universities scrambling to support the affected students.

DENVER — A wave of international student visa cancellations across the country has left many students in a predicament, forcing them to pack up and exit the United States on short notice.

Universities have been blindsided by cases where students discovered their visas had been revoked through notifications from the federal Student Exchange and Visitor Information System or via sudden texts or emails. Many institutions reached out by USA TODAY Network regarding these cancellations refrained from providing details to protect student privacy.

Immigration specialists indicate that the government’s sweeping approach to managing international students is unprecedented. The National Immigration Project is actively contesting the cancellations, which have impacted students in states like California, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Florida, among others.

“In my 25 years of practice, I’ve never seen a situation with 300 students losing their visas without warning,” noted Len Saunders, an immigration attorney in Washington state. “This mass cancellation wave seems political, affecting hundreds with no prior notice.”

Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the administration has implemented stricter immigration controls, with some conservatives alleging that countries such as China are sending students to the U.S. as part of intellectual property espionage.

Although these visa cancellations represent a small fraction of the approximately 1.5 million international students in the U.S., they have sent shockwaves through college communities. University officials report that some cancellations were linked to trivial causes like roommate altercations or minor traffic offenses, while others were tied to participation in pro-Palestinian protests.

Unlike targeted detentions of individuals like Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk, affected students in this instance are not detained but instructed to leave the country within seven days. These actions have ignited sporadic protests, including one at the University of Arizona.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated he revoked at least 300 visas of students labeled as “lunatics” due to pro-Palestinian support or activism, activities often shielded by First Amendment rights.

The recent cancellations have bred uncertainty and hindered academic institutions’ ability to counsel international students and scholars effectively. The American Council on Education and 15 other higher education organizations have called for a briefing with federal officials to clarify the criteria behind these decisions.

“It’s vital that universities can reassure international students, enabling them to continue their invaluable contributions to campuses, communities, and the nation.”