The administration of President Donald Trump has revoked more than 6,000 student visas, citing overstays and breaches of US law, with a small minority withdrawn over alleged links to terrorism, a State Department official confirmed yesterday.
The decision, first reported by Fox Digital, forms part of the administration’s broader crackdown on immigration, which has seen tighter vetting of social media accounts and expanded screening measures.
Directives issued this year instructed American diplomats abroad to exercise particular caution towards applicants viewed in Washington as hostile to the United States or with a record of political activism, according to Reuters.
Of the visas revoked, about 4,000 were cancelled due to criminal activity, with the majority relating to assault offences. Other cases involved driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and burglary, officials said.
A further 200 to 300 visas were withdrawn under terrorism ineligibility provisions outlined in the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual. The regulation cites grounds such as engaging in terrorist activity or links to designated organisations. Officials declined to specify which groups were involved.
Trump clashed with leading American universities
President Trump has frequently clashed with leading American universities, accusing them of harbouring antisemitism in the wake of widespread student demonstrations in support of Palestinian rights during the Gaza conflict.
