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Since Donald Trump began his second term as U.S. president on January 20, 2025, hundreds of students and recent graduates have had their U.S. visas canceled. Some have even been arrested.
Most of these students were involved in pro-Palestine protests on U.S. college campuses in 2024 during Israel’s war on Gaza.
Others were targeted simply for showing support for Gaza online. In some cases, students lost their visas because of relatively small legal issues, like getting a speeding ticket.
The Trump administration claims these students were spreading anti-Semitism or supporting Hamas, which it says is a terrorist group. But many lawyers, activists, and students strongly disagree. Jewish students have also been active in the protests against the Gaza war.
How many students lost their visas?
The U.S. government said around 300 student visas were revoked. But other groups say the number is much higher:
One group says over 4,700 students were removed from a visa database.
Another group reports about 1,400 students face deportation.
A higher education news site confirmed 1,489 lost their visas.
Which colleges are affected?
Over 240 colleges across the U.S. have been impacted, including famous schools like Harvard and Stanford, and large public universities like Ohio State.
Why are visas being canceled?
The government says students are abusing their visas by leading protests instead of just studying. But many students lost their visas without warning and without doing anything wrong.
Some were just posting online or attending peaceful protests. Others were punished for old minor violations. One immigration lawyer said this crackdown violates due process and may not be legal. Some students have started legal action to stop deportation. Judges in some states have blocked deportations while cases are reviewed.
Some schools, like George Mason University, are helping affected students by talking to federal officials and offering legal help. But most schools are not doing much, and students are scared.
One professor said many international students are deleting social media accounts out of fear. Even students who have done nothing wrong are worried they might be deported. A naturalized faculty member said that it feels like immigrants are being told their rights depend on staying quiet.
He believes the government is using this situation to silence free speech, attack liberal universities, and make it harder for immigrants to become citizens.
Sources: Al Jazeera, CNN.
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