More than 600 foreign researchers, academics, and students have lost their US visas, according to the most recent sources. The academic community has been outraged by this action.
Over 80 colleges and universities around the country have been revoked. Many cases concern student visas, but some involve academic and researcher permissions. A new visa evaluation process led to the decision.
Numerous foreign nationals have been detained on campuses and their visas revoked by US officials. Students have been observed being arrested by plainclothes police officers close to their residences.
These videos of the incidents have gone viral. They have rocked the international community. Many people who are thought to be politically active are impacted by the revocations.
Many of those affected participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Others were singled out for lesser offenses like previous misdemeanors or speeding tickets.
The procedure is severe and abrupt. Many pupils were not warned. They were not provided with an appeals mechanism. The State Department has defended these measures. Under his leadership, more than 300 visas were revoked, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
According to his team, visa holders participated in actions that went against the interests of the US. Free speech rights are under jeopardy, according to several immigration experts. Although they can voice their opinions, students with F-1 and J-1 visas risk expulsion.
Attorneys have observed that there is often little justification for visa revocations. Courts have heard cases involving unannounced student detention.
A Chinese researcher from Dartmouth filed a lawsuit. His F-1 visa was revoked without indicating that he had engaged in illegal activity. His interim restraining order prevented an imminent deportation.
This has sparked discussions about the law. According to immigration lawyers, the procedure instills anxiety. When it should only be used to start an automobile, one lawyer compared the move to "stopping a car in the middle of the street."
International students are experiencing anxiety as a result of these problems. Many fear that their academic chances may be lost. A few students have already made plans to depart the nation. This dilemma affects universities including Columbia University, Texas A&M, and the University of Florida.
They are making an effort to help the impacted pupils. The scholarly community is now on guard. There are more than 1.5 million F-1 visa holders in the United States. Additionally, hundreds use J-1 visas to participate in exchange programs. There is a real risk of deportation, which is frequently coupled with hefty fines.
Legal issues are still arising throughout the nation. University administrators and advocacy groups want equity. Many people in higher education are uneasy about the possibility of visa revocations.
The visa revocations impact many overseas students, researchers, and faculty members affiliated with more than 80 colleges and universities nationwide.
Due to their political involvement, several visa holders—especially those who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations—were singled out. Since students on F-1 and J-1 visas can voice their opinions, this has sparked worries about a possible breach of their right to free speech.