In a sweeping move reflective of its broader immigration agenda, the Trump administration has revoked the student visas of over 4,000 international students within the first 100 days of President Trump’s return to office, according to a New York Post report. The revocations, carried out in coordination between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department, have raised significant concern among immigrant communities, civil rights organizations, and academic institutions.
A senior State Department official stated that approximately 90% of the revoked visas involved students with serious criminal charges, including assault, domestic violence, driving under the influence, and trafficking offenses. “They came and they were breaking the law with no consequences,” the official remarked, noting the formation of a special action team to address the issue.
Using law enforcement databases and visa records, the administration identified and acted against students deemed to pose a legal or security risk. Officials emphasized that the operation excluded minor infractions and focused solely on individuals with substantive legal violations. However, rights groups and immigration attorneys argue that the scope of the revocations appears to extend beyond criminal behavior, with some international students reportedly targeted despite having no record of legal misconduct.
The crackdown has disproportionately affected students from Asia and the Middle East, with many either voluntarily leaving the U.S. or facing removal proceedings. The move comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions on university campuses, where recent pro-Palestinian protests have drawn the ire of the administration. Although the government has suggested that visa enforcement is unrelated to campus activism, legal advocates claim that peaceful student demonstrators, including those with no legal infractions, may also be at risk.
As the administration signals potential expansion of visa enforcement across additional categories, concerns are mounting over the implications for U.S. higher education, global academic exchange, and civil liberties. This latest action reflects a renewed effort by the Trump administration to reshape the nation’s immigration framework and tighten scrutiny across the board, including recent legal efforts to revisit birthright citizenship.
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