State Department revokes 300 visas amid protest crackdown
The U.S. State Department has revoked more than 300 student visas as part of actions against foreign students participating in protests, according to NBC News, which notes an increasing number of such cases.
The head of American diplomacy, Marco Rubio, announced that the State Department has revoked more than 300 student visas. According to NBC News, these actions target students born abroad who participate in protests against U.S. foreign policy. Rubio emphasized that the U.S. administration is actively searching for individuals it considers a threat.
— Maybe more than 300 at this point. We do it every day, every time I find one of these lunatics, — Rubio said.
In some cases, students were detained by masked immigration agents and taken to detention centers without prior warning. NBC News reports that many of those detained were associated with the pro-Palestinian movement, which has gained popularity on U.S. campuses.
Controversies surrounding administration's actions
The administration does not disclose the reasons for selecting the students; however, at least one person sought by Immigration and Customs Enforcement ended up on lists compiled by far-right pro-Israel groups. Allies of former President Donald Trump previously announced intentions to pursue the deportation of students supporting organizations designated as terrorist by the U.S.
Experts warn that such actions could undermine fundamental American rights to freedom of speech and assembly. Ben Wizner from the American Civil Liberties Union stated that sending a message to students worldwide that they are not welcome at American universities is troubling.
NBC News emphasizes that these actions are part of the broader efforts of the Trump administration, aimed at limiting the rights of legal residents and visa holders. These actions are controversial and widely commented on in the media.
