The United States has revoked more than 300 F-1 student visas in recent weeks, targeting foreign nationals allegedly involved in pro-Palestinian protests on American college campuses. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the number of revoked visas may have already surpassed 300, calling the protesters “lunatics” and vowing to continue visa cancellations.
Among those affected, several international students have been detained, including Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, and a Turkish student at Tufts University. A Columbia junior, who is a permanent resident, has filed a lawsuit to block potential deportation.
The crackdown follows widespread demonstrations in the wake of the Israel-Gaza conflict, which began in October 2023. The United States has labeled Hamas, the group behind the attacks on Israel, a terrorist organization. The visa revocations have raised concerns among foreign students, particularly those involved in political activism.
