Egypt Daily News – American media reports revealed that more than 100 universities and colleges in the United States have reported cases of visa being revoked for international students by the U.S. Department of State, which has altered the legal status of over 600 international students and recent graduates, according to the “Inside Higher Ed” website.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stated that this escalation represents an “unacceptable ideological test,” adding: “No president has the right to determine who stays or is deported based on their political views.”
According to affected universities, a number of students were surprised by their visa cancellations without prior notice—some discovered the issue through a federal database, others via sudden text messages or emails. Lawyers representing the students noted that the majority were not given any opportunity to respond or appeal, and the universities were not officially informed of the reasons.
Human rights organizations linked these actions to pro-Palestinian stances, pointing out that some of the previous Trump administration’s policies—still continuing under the current administration—treat freedom of expression selectively when it relates to the Palestinian cause.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) stated: “What’s happening is replacing open discussion with fear. Silencing voices seems to be the real goal,” according to Al Jazeera Net.
Surveillance and Crackdown
Recently, the Department of Homeland Security announced it was monitoring immigrants’ social media accounts to detect what it called “anti-Semitic content.”
Tricia McLaughlin, an official at the department, said: “We will not allow anyone to hide behind the First Amendment to spread hate or promote violence. You are not welcome here.”
In controversial statements, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that more than 300 visas had been revoked, claiming those targeted were involved in activities “inconsistent with national interests,” such as publishing opinion pieces critical of Israeli actions in Gaza or joining student sit-ins calling for a boycott of Israel.
Rubio said, “Whenever I discover one of these extremists, I revoke their visa immediately,” asserting that student visas are meant solely for education, not political activities.
Authorities encouraged students to leave the country voluntarily rather than face deportation through immigration courts, which could result in detention. In March, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a direct warning: “If they don’t leave, we’ll find them, deport them, and they will never be allowed back.”
The department also intends to impose a daily fine of $998 on individuals who ignore deportation orders, adding significant financial burdens on students.
An immigration court in Louisiana ruled on Friday that Mahmoud Khalil, an activist at Columbia University, could be deported due to his peaceful political activities and beliefs. The judge gave Khalil’s attorney until April 23 to file a motion to stop the deportation.
The government submitted a memo signed by Secretary Marco Rubio stating that Khalil can be deported from the U.S. due to his activities. Trump administration officials did not accuse Khalil of any criminal behavior; he is a lawful permanent resident.
At the end of the session, Khalil requested to make a formal statement. He stood up and addressed the court:
“I would like to repeat what I said previously: nothing is more important to this court than the right to due process and basic justice. Clearly, what we saw today lacked both, in this session and throughout this entire process.”
He added: “That’s exactly why the Trump administration sent me to this court, a thousand miles away from my family. All I hope is that the urgency you thought I deserved is granted to the ‘others’ who’ve spent months here without having their cases heard.”
In a statement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Executive Director Nihad Awad said: “The dangerous and unconstitutional ruling by the immigration judge in Louisiana, which allows the deportation of a legal permanent resident because the current administration wants to punish him for exercising his First Amendment right to criticize the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza, must not be carried out.”
He added: “Although the ruling is only the first step in a long legal process, it should be alarming to all Americans who cherish their rights in the Bill of Rights and fundamental freedoms like free speech.”
“We are confident that federal courts will recognize the Trump administration’s unlawful assault on free expression, and the movement against the Israeli government’s genocide will continue to grow in our country, despite these attempts to suppress free speech.”
Uncertainty and Concern
In light of these developments, the American Council on Education (ACE), along with 15 other academic organizations, submitted an urgent request for a meeting with the Departments of State and Homeland Security to discuss the impact of these decisions on international students.
ACE President Ted Mitchell said: “These measures have created a climate of uncertainty and concern, negatively affecting our institutions’ ability to provide the necessary support for students.”
