PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump has withdrawn numerous student visas from leading American universities, impacting foreign students at institutions primarily in California.
👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump administration, students primarily from Stanford, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Harvard, the University of Southern California, and others.
📍 Where & When: Visa revocations have occurred at various universities across the United States, including California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Oregon, North Carolina, Minnesota, Arizona, and Alabama, reported on April 6, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “The federal government has not explained the reasons behind these terminations,” complained UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla.
⚠️ Impact: The decision may deter foreign nationals more interested in political agitation than studying from attending U.S. universities.
IN FULL:
Numerous student visas from elite American universities have been rescinded due to anti-Israel activism and political agitation. The revocations primarily affect institutions in California, including Stanford University and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Statements from several universities reveal that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withdrew the student visas without prior notification. “The federal government has not explained the reasons behind these terminations,” UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla complained.
A broad range of academic institutions, including those in Democratic-leaning states like Massachusetts and Michigan and others scattered across the country, have reported instances of foreign students and recent alumni losing legal status. For example, Stanford University confirmed the abrupt loss of status for four students and two recent graduates.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently confirmed over 300 student visa revocations, citing participation in antisemitic demonstrations and potential criminal ties as justification.
The standard process includes revoking students’ access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database, effectively ending their student status. Universities often remain unaware of these revocations until students attempt to travel or seek work authorization. Educational institutions face potential financial setbacks related to the loss of tuition from foreign students.
Several current and former students linked to anti-Israel activities and disruptive political protests have already been either arrested, deported, or have fled the country. These include Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian Columbia University graduate, who was arrested by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) earlier this year.
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