US Revokes Over 6,000 Student Visas In 2025 Amid Stricter Immigration Policies

Last Updated:August 19, 2025, 03:13 IST

The revoked visas reportedly involve students who violated US laws or engaged in activities deemed a threat to national security.

Trump administration has also taken steps to make it harder for international students to gain admission to US universities (Representative image)

The US State Department has revoked more than 6,000 student visas so far this year as part of a broader immigration enforcement campaign under the Trump administration. A State Department official confirmed the numbers on Monday, as reported by Fox News Digital, marking a significant escalation in visa enforcement targeting international students.

The move is part of President Trump’s wider agenda to impose stricter visa regulations and tighten immigration policies. The revoked visas reportedly involve students who violated US laws or engaged in activities deemed a threat to national security.

According to the State Department official, between 200 and 300 student visa holders were stripped of their documentation due to alleged involvement in terrorism-related activities. These revocations fall under provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act, which makes any foreign national inadmissible to the US for links to terrorism or extremist behaviour.

However, the majority of visa cancellations were due to criminal offences or immigration violations. The official stated that approximately 4,000-6,000 revocations were issued to individuals who had “broken the law," including cases involving assault, burglary, and driving under the influence (DUI). Other reasons included visa overstays and violations of terms of stay.

In addition to revocations, the Trump administration has also taken steps to make it harder for international students to gain admission to US universities. In recent months, federal scrutiny has increased around campus activism, particularly protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The administration alleges that such demonstrations have often taken an antisemitic tone, creating a hostile environment for Jewish students and faculty.

One notable case occurred in March 2025, when Rumeysa Ozturk, a PhD student at Tufts University, had her visa cancelled and was detained by federal agents. Ozturk was placed in ICE detention before a federal judge ordered her release in May.

Several universities, particularly Ivy League institutions like Harvard University, Brown University, University of California, and University of Pennsylvania, have come under fire from the Trump administration for allegedly tolerating antisemitic activity on campus. Officials argue that university leadership has failed to protect Jewish students, accusing them of siding with pro-Palestinian protestors.

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Location :

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published:

August 19, 2025, 03:13 IST

News world US Revokes Over 6,000 Student Visas In 2025 Amid Stricter Immigration Policies

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