The Trump administration has revoked the student visas of foreign students who have been vocal in their opposition to Israel’s strikes on Gaza. This policy has expanded to colleges and universities across the Sun Belt, with institutions such as Texas A&M University and Florida International University reporting a significant number of revoked visas. The administration has also targeted students in states that Trump won in the 2024 election, such as Texas, Florida, and North Carolina. Secretary of State Marco Rubio estimated that 300 foreign scholars had their visas revoked by the administration. This policy gained attention after a former Columbia University postgraduate, who was a leader in student protests against Israel, had his visa revoked and was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The Trump administration has justified these revocations by accusing the students of aligning with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Despite pushback from lawyers and protests claiming lack of due process, a judge ruled in favor of the administration, allowing for the deportation of the student. The government has targeted foreign-born students who engage in activism, using the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System to track and revoke their visas. This crackdown on foreign student activists has raised concerns about free speech and due process rights in the United States.
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