The US Department of State has revoked the visas of hundreds of international students, citing involvement in campus protests. Some students had their visas canceled merely for sharing or engaging with protest-related content on social media.
Indian Students Among Those Affected
Immigration lawyers have confirmed that several Indian students might have been affected by the recent visa cancellations. Authorities are taking action not only against students who directly participated in campus protests but also against those who liked or shared protest-related content on social media.
Visa Cancellations Linked to Social Media Activity
The US government has become increasingly vigilant about students’ online activities. The Department of State and consular offices are closely monitoring social media for any content deemed objectionable. As a result, students applying for new F, M, or J visas are being subjected to more stringent scrutiny. If their social media activity raises concerns, their visa applications may be denied.
The Official Email Notification
The official email sent to students informed them of their visa revocation. The message stated:
“On behalf of the US Department of State, the Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Office hereby informs you that additional information became available after your visa was issued. As a result, your F-1 visa with expiration date XXXXX was revoked in accordance with Section 221(i) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended.”
The email further added that the Bureau of Consular Affairs had alerted the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, and may notify the student’s school official about the visa revocation.
Why Did Protests Erupt on US College Campuses?
Protests erupted on US college campuses after the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, followed by retaliatory airstrikes by Israel on Gaza. The airstrikes resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, sparking widespread demonstrations against Israeli military actions. Both local and international students joined the protests, and reports of antisemitic incidents on campuses increased. Authorities have identified students involved in these protests and revoked their visas.
How Are Protesting Students Being Identified?
Over 1.1 million international students were studying in the US during the 2023-24 academic year, including 331,000 from India. The US government has introduced a program called “Catch and Revoke,” which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify students allegedly supporting organizations such as Hamas. Within three weeks of the program’s launch, more than 300 students had their visas revoked.
This initiative highlights the increasing scrutiny of international students’ activities, both on campus and online, and the government’s stance on preventing support for terrorist organizations.
