The U.S. State Department has revoked over 6,000 visas issued to international students due to violations of American laws and overstaying their permitted time in the country, a spokesperson told the BBC.
According to the department, the majority of these violations included offenses such as assault, driving under the influence (DUI), burglary, and “support for terrorism.”
This action is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration policies, particularly targeting international students.
While officials did not elaborate on what constituted “support for terrorism,” the administration has taken aim at students who have demonstrated in support of Palestine, alleging that some of their actions were antisemitic.
Of the 6,000 revoked visas, approximately 4,000 were withdrawn due to legal violations. An additional 200 to 300 were rescinded under “INA 3B” — a provision in immigration law that broadly defines terrorism as acts that endanger lives or break U.S. law.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration temporarily halted the processing of visa appointments for international students. When services resumed in June, the government introduced more stringent vetting procedures, requiring applicants to make their social media profiles public.
Officials stated that this increased scrutiny aimed to identify signs of hostility toward U.S. citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding values.
State Department personnel were also directed to look for applicants who may support designated terrorist organizations or pose national security threats, including those involved in unlawful antisemitic actions.
In May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress that thousands of student visas had been revoked since January, and suggested that more could follow. “We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities,” Rubio said.
Democratic lawmakers have criticized the move, describing it as an infringement on due process rights.
Despite these developments, the U.S. remains a major destination for international students, with more than 1.1 million enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities during the 2023–24 academic year, according to data from Open Doors.
