Over 6,000 Student Visas Revoked as U.S. Targets Immigration Violations and Security Risks

The U.S. State Department has revoked more than 6,000 visas issued to international students, citing a range of legal and security violations, including overstays, criminal offenses, and alleged links to terrorism.

According to officials who spoke with the BBC, the majority of the visa cancellations stemmed from violations such as assault, burglary, driving under the influence (DUI), and what was broadly categorized as “support for terrorism.”

Of the total revoked visas, around 4,000 were directly tied to criminal activity, while an additional 200 to 300 were canceled under Section 3B of the Immigration and Nationality Act—a provision that classifies terrorism as acts that endanger human life or violate U.S. law.

The move is part of a broader crackdown on immigration and foreign student policies under the Trump administration. While the State Department did not clarify what constituted “support for terrorism,” the administration has previously targeted students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, accusing some of antisemitic conduct.

Earlier this year, the administration temporarily suspended student visa appointments before reinstating them in June with enhanced screening procedures. New applicants are now required to provide access to their social media accounts so consular officers can assess potential threats, including hostility toward the U.S. government or its citizens.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, addressing lawmakers in May, defended the policy, saying, “We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities.”

The crackdown has sparked backlash from Democratic lawmakers and civil rights advocates, who argue that the measures erode due process and unfairly single out international students.

Despite the heightened scrutiny, the United States remains a top destination for global education, with over 1.1 million international students enrolled during the 2023–24 academic year, according to data from Open Doors.