US Targets Foreign Students: Visa Revocations to Increase in Coming Days
US Immigration Crackdown: More Student Visas Set to Be Revoked
In a move that has sent shockwaves through academic and immigrant communities, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that the government will be revoking more student visas in the coming days. The decision follows the arrest and potential deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and permanent US resident, who was actively involved in campus protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
A Crackdown on Student Visas Begins
Speaking after a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, Rubio stated, “In the days to come, you should expect more visas will be revoked as we identify people that we should have never allowed in.” This announcement underscores a growing crackdown on foreign students and activists in the US.
The Trump administration’s move to deport Khalil has intensified debates over the rights of green card holders and student visa recipients, particularly those engaging in political activism. While the US government has broad authority to grant or revoke visas, legal analysts warn that the Khalil case may set a concerning precedent.
Should Visa and Green Card Holders Be Worried?
Former President Donald Trump called Khalil’s case “the first arrest of many to come,” suggesting that this policy shift will extend beyond a single individual. US Vice President JD Vance reinforced this notion, stating, “A green card holder… doesn’t have an indefinite right to be in the United States.”
Khalil, who recently earned his degree from Columbia University, was detained by homeland security agents under claims that his student visa had been revoked. However, his attorney, Amy Greer, argued that Khalil was a permanent resident and did not hold a student visa. Shockingly, officials informed her that his green card had also been revoked under undisclosed national security provisions.
Legal Experts Sound the Alarm
The Khalil case raises serious legal and ethical concerns, particularly regarding free speech rights for immigrants. Under US law, all individuals—including visa and green card holders—are granted constitutional protections, including freedom of speech. However, the government may bypass these protections under foreign policy or national security justifications.
Bill Hing, a law professor at the University of San Francisco, warned that Khalil’s case could set a precedent for targeting foreign-born activists. “This sets a precedent where any green card holder expressing opinions contrary to government policy could face deportation,” Hing explained.
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