United States revokes over 6,000 student visas, State Dept says
The United States (U.S.) through its State Department has revoked over 6,000 student visas since the advent of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, a State Department official said on Monday.
Rubio has moved against students who counter US foreign policy interests, in consonance with the policies of the Trump administration which have also sought mass deportation for illegal immigrants in the United States.
“The State Department has revoked over 6,000 student visas for overstays and law violations, the vast majority being assault, DUI, burglary and support for terrorism,” the official said, stating that about 4,000 of the visas were for law violations.
According to news sources, about 200 to 300 visas revoked for terrorism, were on the grounds of visa ineligibility under the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual.
The U.S. diplomat in March had told reporters that he was revoking visas on daily basis, especially for students involved in activism. “Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” particularly those protesting against Israel or displaying anti-Semitic posture.
The State Department this year has ordered U.S. diplomats abroad to be vigilant of applicants considered hostile to the United States and those with a background in political activism
Officials of the Trump administration have also said that student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their pro-Palestinians stance and their criticism of Israel in the Israel-Gaza war, as their actions may be considered a threat to U.S. foreign policy.
The U.S. President Donald Trump has accused several universities of becoming a stronghold for antisemitism following several protests advocating for Palestinian rights as they relate to the Israel-Gaza war.
Some of Trump’s critics however have called the effort an attack on free speech rights under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Source: News agencies
