The Trump administration has revoked student visas and terminated students from a tracking system for foreign scholars in the South, impacting institutions across the Sun Belt. Multiple universities reported that some students had their visas revoked or immigration status changed through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). For example, Florida International University had 18 students with revoked visas, Texas A&M had 23 students with terminated SEVIS records, and other institutions like New Mexico State, University of North Carolina, Middle Tennessee State, and Rice University also experienced similar changes.
The administration’s crackdown on foreign scholars came to light after a former Columbia University postgraduate, who was active in student protests, was arrested by ICE agents for having his student visa revoked. This sparked protests against what critics view as a violation of due process and an attempt to silence free speech. The administration cited ties to Hamas as the reason for the individual’s deportation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio estimated that 300 students have had their visas revoked, with the government justifying these actions based on alleged ties to terrorist organizations. Rubio supported the deportation of the Columbia University postgraduate. The government’s crackdown on foreign-born students engaged in activism has raised concerns about violations of free speech and due process.
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