Sat Apr 05 21:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump Administration Revokes Visas of Hundreds of Foreign Students Over Campus Protests

**Washington, D.C. – April 6, 2025** – The Trump administration is intensifying its crackdown on foreign students involved in campus protests, revoking the visas of over 300 students since March 27th under its “Catch and Revoke” program. This program, initiated via an executive order targeting “anti-Semitic” movements, utilizes AI-assisted analysis of social media to identify students deemed a threat. Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified the actions, stating that participation in campus protests could lead to visa denial.

The program affects students holding academic (F), exchange (J), and vocational (M) visas, with reports indicating that Indian students are among those affected. This action comes amidst a broader campaign against universities, including funding cuts to institutions like Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins. The move raises concerns about academic freedom and the chilling effect on free speech.

While the number of international students in the U.S. has significantly increased over the years, reaching nearly 1.1 million in 2019-20, the current policy threatens this growth. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), established after 9/11, allows for visa revocation for students who fail to attend classes, a provision now being aggressively used. Universities across the nation, including Arizona State, Georgetown, Minnesota, and Cornell, have reported affected students.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has published an open letter urging universities to resist government pressure and protect students’ rights, emphasizing that the protests constitute protected free speech. Lawsuits from the American Association of University Professors and the Middle East Studies Association challenge the constitutionality of targeting students based on their views. However, unless challenged successfully in court, the visa revocation program is expected to continue. The legal implications remain complex, as the actions are directed solely at foreign nationals and not U.S. citizens.

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