Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a startling announcement on Thursday, revealing that the State Department has revoked over 300 student visas. This action is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to detain and deport pro-Palestinian student activists in universities nationwide.
The recent surge in visa revocations is a component of the administration’s broader campaign to penalize perceived adversaries and tighten control over higher education institutions that have been criticized by President Trump as hotbeds of liberalism.
The Targeted Crackdown
In a press conference in Guyana, Rubio emphasized the severity of the crackdown, stating, “Every time I find one of these individuals, I revoke their visa. It could be more than 300 at this point. It might be more. We take action daily.”
Rubio’s revelation of the extensive visa cancellations came as he addressed inquiries regarding Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student and Fulbright scholar from Turkey. Ozturk had her student visa revoked this week following her involvement in criticizing Tufts’ response to protests. A video circulated online by State Department officials captured Ozturk’s detainment by plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents near the Tufts campus.
Confirming Ozturk’s visa revocation, Rubio cited State Department spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, who alleged that Ozturk had “engaged in activities in support of Hamas.”
The Trump Administration’s Directive
President Trump’s executive order in January empowered the State Department to revoke student visas and deport “Hamas sympathizers,” citing a pervasive radicalism in colleges nationwide.
The high-profile detentions began with the arrest of Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil for his involvement in university demonstrations. Subsequently, two protestors from Columbia had their student visas revoked upon deportation to Louisiana. Similarly, Georgetown researcher Badar Khan Suri faced arrest, relocation to Louisiana, and initiated legal action for release.
Democratic voices have decried the arrests and deportations, questioning the legal underpinnings of Rubio’s actions and expressing concerns about freedom of speech constraints.
Ongoing Revocations
Despite mounting criticism, Rubio affirmed that the State Department’s efforts are relentless. He asserted, “We’re actively searching for more visas to revoke every day. We will not tolerate such behavior. Once your visa is revoked, you are unlawfully present and must depart.”
The State Department’s aggressive stance underscores its commitment to upholding national security interests and combating perceived threats within educational institutions.
