WASHINGTON, D.C. – The US State Department has revoked more than 6,000 international student visas, citing violations of American law, overstays, and alleged security threats.
Officials told the BBC that the “vast majority” of violations involved assault, burglary, and driving under the influence (DUI).
Several hundred cases were linked to what the department described as “support for terrorism,” though it did not provide specific details.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s wider crackdown on immigration and foreign students.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in May that “thousands” of student visas had already been rescinded since the start of the year, warning that more were likely to follow.
“I don’t know the latest count, but we probably have more to do,” Rubio told lawmakers. “We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities.”
According to the State Department, about 4,000 visas were cancelled after students were found guilty of breaking US laws.
Another 200–300 were revoked under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that broadly define terrorism as acts that endanger human life or violate federal law.
The administration has also faced criticism for targeting international students who have taken part in protests, particularly those supporting Palestine.
Officials argue that some demonstrations amounted to antisemitic harassment or posed national security risks.
Earlier this year, visa appointments for international students were temporarily suspended.
When they resumed in June, the State Department began requiring applicants to make their social media accounts public for enhanced screening.
Consular officers were instructed to deny visas to anyone showing hostility toward US citizens, government, or institutions, or who expressed support for designated terrorist groups.
Democrats have condemned the measures, saying the policy undermines due process and unfairly penalises students.
The US hosted more than 1.1 million international students from over 210 countries during the 2023–24 academic year, according to Open Doors, a non-profit that tracks global student mobility.
