The US State Department has revoked over 6,000 international student visas primarily due to violations of US law including assault, DUI, burglary, and broadly defined ‘support for terrorism.’ This action represents an escalation of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and follows recent policy changes requiring enhanced social media screening for visa applicants.
The visa revocations specifically targeted international students found to have violated US laws or overstayed their visas. According to State Department officials, approximately 4,000 revocations stemmed from criminal offenses like assault, driving under influence, and burglary. An additional 200-300 visas were revoked under terrorism-related provisions defined by immigration code INA 3B, which broadly covers activities endangering human life or violating US law.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the large-scale revocation during congressional testimony in May 2025, stating the administration would ‘continue to revoke visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities.’ The policy aligns with the administration’s recent suspension and subsequent resumption of student visa processing, which now mandates public social media access for screening applicants’ political views.
This move occurs amidst heightened tensions regarding international students’ political activism, particularly surrounding pro-Palestine protests that administration officials have characterized as antisemitic. While the State Department didn’t explicitly define ‘support for terrorism,’ officials have previously linked it to criticism of Israel’s Gaza policies. The broad criteria has raised concerns among free speech advocates about targeting protected political expression.
Democrats have strongly opposed the visa revocations, framing them as attacks on due process. The policy impacts America’s substantial international student population, which exceeded 1.1 million during the 2023-24 academic year according to Open Doors data. Some students have reportedly expressed regret about choosing US universities following recent visa policy changes.
The enhanced screening protocols now require State Department officers to examine applicants’ social media for ‘hostility toward US citizens, culture, or founding principles’ and ‘unlawful anti-Semitic harassment.’ This represents a significant expansion of visa vetting procedures compared to previous administrations.
Looking ahead, Secretary Rubio indicated the revocations mark only the beginning of this enforcement approach, suggesting additional visa terminations may follow. The policy’s implementation will likely face continued legal challenges from civil liberties groups and political opposition from Democrats. Its long-term impact on international student enrollment and US higher education’s global competitiveness remains uncertain.