The U.S. State Department has revoked over 6,000 student visas in a sweeping crackdown on foreign nationals, a move the Trump administration says is a direct response to lawbreaking and national security threats. The revocations, which have sent shockwaves through the academic community, were carried out for a range of reasons, including visa overstays, criminal activity, and for a small number of individuals, “support for terrorism.”
According to a senior State Department official, a majority of the visas, approximately 4,000, were revoked because the visa holders “broke the law while visiting our country,” with the most common offenses being assault and driving under the influence. Another 200 to 300 were pulled due to ties to “terrorist activity,” including allegations of raising funds for groups like Hamas, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.
The aggressive policy is a direct result of several executive orders signed by President Donald Trump aimed at “combatting terrorism, antisemitism, and enhancing national security.” The administration has also expanded its visa vetting procedures to include a deeper review of social media accounts for “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”
The crackdown on student visas has been met with fierce criticism from civil liberties advocates and some lawmakers. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) has called the visa revocations a “fundamental attack on freedom” and an assault on due process, arguing that the government is taking away people’s liberty without a fair legal process. The policy has also been criticized for targeting students involved in political demonstrations, particularly pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. In one high-profile case, a Tufts University PhD student had her visa revoked after co-authoring an op-ed criticizing the university’s response to the Israel-Gaza conflict, though a federal judge later ordered her release.
The scale of the revocations is unprecedented, with the State Department reporting that approximately 40,000 visas have been pulled in 2025, compared to 16,000 during the same period under the previous administration. This heightened scrutiny has created a climate of fear and uncertainty for thousands of international students, with some reports indicating that even minor infractions like speeding tickets have led to visa terminations.
While the administration maintains that the policy is a necessary step to protect national security, critics argue that it undermines the U.S. higher education system by deterring international talent from coming to the country. A recent analysis from the NAFSA: Association of International Educators has forecast a potential 30-40% decline in new international student enrollment, a drop that would cost the U.S. economy billions and risk its global competitiveness.
For now, the policy remains in effect, and the message from Washington is clear: international students are welcome, but only on the condition of strict adherence to the law and a commitment to avoid any activity that could be deemed a threat to national security.