Sweeping Visa Revocations Force International Students to Exit U.S.

The Trump administration has recently revoked hundreds of international student visas, prompting a wave of urgent departures from the United States. Students attending universities across multiple states, including California, Michigan, Colorado, Ohio, and Massachusetts, were unexpectedly informed, some via email or text, that their visas had been cancelled and that they must leave the country within a matter of days.

Universities have confirmed that affected students are scrambling to make travel arrangements, many of them just weeks from completing their degrees. While institutions are working to provide legal support and emergency financial aid, officials are expressing deep concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the government’s decision-making process.

Reports suggest the visa cancellations may be tied to minor issues such as off-campus infractions or disputes, while others appear to be linked to student participation in peaceful pro-Palestinian protests. Legal experts and immigration attorneys are calling the move unprecedented, stating they have never witnessed visa revocations at this scale.

“These actions appear politically motivated and risk violating basic freedoms like the right to protest,” said Robert Cohen, a New York University professor and historian of social movements. “Targeting students for their views undermines the principles of free speech and academic freedom.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged the cancellations, stating that over 300 visas have been rescinded, referring to the students as “lunatics” in response to their activism, a label that has raised alarm across the academic community.

Higher education leaders are now calling on federal authorities to provide clarity and justification. The American Council on Education, alongside 15 other educational organizations, has formally requested a briefing to better understand the rationale and ensure due process is being followed.

University officials are reaffirming their commitment to international students. “The American higher education system has long been a beacon for global talent,” said University of Massachusetts-Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes. “We will continue to stand by our students and support them through this challenging and uncertain time.”

While the total number of affected students remains unclear, the impact on individual lives and academic institutions is profound. Universities are urging the federal government to uphold fairness, transparency, and the foundational values that make U.S. higher education a global leader.