The US State Department announced it has canceled more than 6000 international student visas due to violations of US law and overstaying, including assault, driving under the influence, theft, and “supporting terrorism,” according to a BBC statement. This is part of the ongoing campaign by the Trump administration against immigrants and international students in the US. The State Department did not clarify what is meant by “supporting terrorism,” but the Trump administration targeted some students who participated in pro-Palestine protests, considering their behavior as anti-Semitic. Among the canceled student visas, about 4000 were revoked due to visitors violating the law. Between 200 to 300 visas were also canceled due to “terrorist activities” under section 3(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which broadly defines “terrorist activity” as any act that endangers human life or violates US law. Earlier this year, the Trump administration suspended visa appointment scheduling for international students.

In June, when appointments resumed, all applicants were required to disclose their social media accounts to enhance screening procedures. Authorities said they would look for “any evidence of hostility toward US citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.” US State Department staff were instructed to screen applicants who “advocate, support, or endorse designated foreign terrorist organizations or other national security threats; or who engage in harassment or unlawful violence involving anti-Semitism.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Congress in May that thousands of student visas have been canceled since January. Rubio told Congress on May 20, “I don’t know the final number, but likely there is more to do.” He added, “We will continue canceling visas of people here as guests who disrupt our higher education institutions.” Democrats opposed the Trump administration’s efforts to cancel student visas, describing it as an assault on due process.

According to Open Doors, which collects data on foreign students, over 1.1 million international students from more than 210 countries enrolled in US colleges during the 2023-2024 academic year.