WASHINGTON: The U.S. Department of State has announced the revocation of more than 6,000 international student visas due to violations of laws and various offenses. According to officials, most of the violations include physical assault, drunk driving, theft, and “support for terrorism.” Reports indicate that around 4,000 visas have been canceled due to the commission of public crimes, while an additional 200 to 300 cases have been revoked under Section 3(b) of U.S. immigration law, which broadly defines terrorist activities. U.S. officials have noted that some students have had their visas revoked due to political activities, protests related to Palestine, and criticism of Israel. Washington has termed these actions as “a threat to U.S. foreign policy.” This decision is seen as part of the stringent immigration policies of the Trump administration regarding foreign students. In addition to tightening background checks and monitoring students’ social media, the Trump administration pressured major universities, including Harvard, even threatening to revoke their tax-exempt status. Critics have labeled these policies as “an attack on freedom of speech and students’ fundamental rights,” while Democrats have described them as “a blow to due process.” In the last academic year, over one million international students were enrolled in U.S. educational institutions. Trump frequently emphasized the need for strict border and immigration laws during his campaign. In June of this year, he issued an order banning the entry of citizens from Iran and 11 other countries into the U.S., and imposed travel restrictions on seven additional countries.
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