Trump administration revokes over 6,000 student visas

The Trump administration has revoked more than 6,000 student visas for alleged criminal violations and overstays this year, marking a dramatic escalation in immigration enforcement targeting international students.

State of play: Of the said figure, the State Department said 4,000 were canceled for purported criminal violations ranging from assault and burglary to driving under the influence, although it is unclear if violations are constituted by accusations or charges rather than only convictions.  Some 200 to 300 cases were specifically linked to alleged terrorism support, while the remainder were revoked for overstays. Fox News first reported the revocations last week.

Overall, total visa cancellations during the same time period jumped from 16,000 under the Biden administration to approximately 40,000 this year. Terrorism-related cases reportedly included fundraising for Hamas.

Broader implications: The enforcement disproportionately impacts Asian American communities. Chinese students alone represent roughly 25% of the international student population, making major contributions to university revenues and research programs.

The crackdown has also created significant financial repercussions for higher education institutions. Columbia University, for one, paid more than $200 million to settle federal claims over its handling of campus protests in exchange for reinstating $400 million in research grants and future funding. A NAFSA analysis forecasts up to a 40% decline in new foreign student enrollment, depriving local economies of $7 billion in spending and more than 60,000 jobs.

The big picture: The revocations follow President Donald Trump’s January executive orders aimed at protecting the U.S. from foreign terrorists and combating antisemitism. In June, the administration also implemented a travel ban that affected prospective students from multiple countries. Amid its crackdown, the administration has negotiated settlement agreements with at least 85 students since May, including Dartmouth PhD student Xiaotian Liu, who secured guarantees his visa cannot be revoked “absent new information.”

State Secretary Marco Rubio has vigorously defended the current policies, telling EWTN earlier this month, “There is no constitutional right to a student visa. A student visa is something we decide to give you.”