US State Department Revokes 6,000 Student Visas Since Marco Rubio Assumed Office
US State Department revokes 6,000 student visas since Marco Rubio assumed office. The US State Department has revoked 6,000 student visas since Secretary of State Marco Rubio took office seven months ago, it said Monday. Rubio, to the delight of President Donald Trump’s right-wing base, has proudly moved against students using an obscure law that allows him to rescind visas for people deemed to counter US foreign policy interests. The Trump administration has also more broadly sought mass deportations of people in the United States illegally.
Breakdown of Visa Revocations and Reasons Cited
According to a State Department official, the revocations include over 6,000 student visas for overstays and law violations, with the vast majority involving assault, DUI, burglary, and support for terrorism. About 4,000 of these were specifically for violations of the law, while the remaining focused on overstays. The department did not provide a breakdown by nationality, but Rubio has publicly vowed to be aggressive in targeting students from China, among others.
Rubio, who began actively revoking student visas earlier this year, told reporters in March that he was rescinding visas daily. He referred to activist students as “these lunatics” and highlighted his focus on those protesting against Israel, accusing them of anti-Semitism—a charge they deny. The top US diplomat argued that the administration has the right to issue and revoke visas without judicial review, emphasising that non-US citizens do not enjoy constitutional rights to free speech.
This policy draws on Section 3B of US immigration law, which permits the revocation of visas for individuals whose activities are seen as contrary to US foreign policy interests. Rubio’s approach has delighted Trump’s conservative supporters, who view it as a tough stance on campus activism and national security threats.
High-Profile Setbacks in Key Cases
Despite the aggressive revocations, the administration has faced legal hurdles in some prominent instances. Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who led pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, was detained but freed by a judge in June 2025. Khalil, whose son was born during his detention, has since sued the Trump administration, alleging it sought to “terrorise” him for his activism.
Similarly, Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University, was arrested by masked plainclothes agents after writing a campus newspaper piece critical of Israel. She was freed by a judge in May 2025 pending further arguments. These cases illustrate the judicial pushback against what critics call overreach in visa enforcement.
Broader Immigration Crackdown Under Trump
The student visa revocations are part of a larger Trump administration effort to ramp up deportations of undocumented immigrants and tighten border controls. Since Rubio assumed office in January 2025, the State Department has prioritised revoking visas on grounds including terrorism support, with 200 to 300 cases linked to such allegations.
Critics argue this policy disproportionately targets students involved in pro-Palestinian activism, stifling free expression on campuses. Rubio’s public statements, such as revoking visas for “these lunatics,” have fuelled accusations of bias and overzealous enforcement. Without a nationality breakdown, questions linger on whether certain groups, like those from China or Middle Eastern countries, are being unfairly singled out.
🔴Central News Special Edition | Issue 114 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: President Cyril Ramaphosa Fires Nobuhle Nkabane as Higher Education Minister, Appoints Buti Manamela
Download Here:
Direct PDF File Here:
https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Central-News-Issue-114-1.pdf
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za