Over a Thousand University Students Lose Visa Status in the USA
The cancellation of visas and residence permits of many foreign citizens, including students who support Palestine, has been making headlines recently. According to a report compiled by the Associated Press (AP) based on 160 university sources in the US, students and graduates across the country have been facing visa cancellations.
Among the targeted students, many foreign students who have spoken out against Israel’s attacks on Gaza, particularly Indian and Chinese citizens, have seen their visas revoked. Since March, over a thousand students have had their legal status and visas canceled, with many students being notified of the cancellations via email.
Hundreds of students are currently at risk of having their visas canceled, which could lead to deportation if not resolved. Those students who have opposed the cancellation of their visas have not been given a clear reason as to why their visas were terminated.
In response to the visa cancellations, many students have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration. A federal judge recently ruled in favor of Shiaotian Liu, a doctoral student at Dartmouth University, reinstating his legal status after his visa was canceled.
Trump’s administration signed a presidential decree on January 30 targeting students who support Palestine, leading to the deportation of many foreign students. US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, claimed that at least 300 foreign students who support Hamas have had their visas canceled.
Rümeysa Öztürk, a doctoral student studying in the US, was detained by immigration officials as she was leaving her home in Massachusetts to attend an iftar on the evening of March 25th. Similarly, Mahmud Halil, a Palestinian activist and recent graduate from Columbia University, was also detained.
The cancellation of visas for foreign students in the US continues to raise concerns and spark legal battles as students fight to maintain their legal status in the country.
