Edit AI & Robotics News

A growing wave of visa cancellations is sweeping through international student communities in the United States, raising alarm among students, universities, and civil rights advocates. According to a report by the Associated Press, international students—especially those from India—are facing heightened scrutiny, with some losing their student visas over issues as minor as traffic violations or social media activity. In a troubling shift, several top US universities including Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, University of Michigan, and Ohio State University have reported abrupt visa cancellations by federal immigration authorities. In many cases, school officials learned about the cancellations only after checking internal federal immigration databases. The lack of prior notice and explanation has left many institutions scrambling for answers while students face life-altering consequences.

Students who have no known connection to recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campuses have found themselves ensnared in what experts are calling a broad and aggressive federal review campaign. This comes in the wake of rising tensions in the Middle East, following the Hamas attack on Israel, and a renewed push by the US government to monitor possible “terrorist sympathies” among non-citizens. In one such case, Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old Indian national and PhD candidate at Columbia University, was abruptly visited by immigration agents and informed that her visa had been revoked. With little recourse, she was forced to self-deport to Canada. She had no criminal record and had not participated in any public demonstrations. 

Another case involves Badar Khan Suri, a conflict studies student at Georgetown University, who was reportedly detained and informed that his visa had been canceled due to accusations of antisemitic speech and alleged ties to Hamas. Suri, who has no criminal background, denies the allegations and says he is being unfairly targeted due to his wife’s Palestinian heritage. University officials have confirmed that the majority of the revocations appear unrelated to actual campus protests. Instead, many cancellations are being linked to past traffic infractions, online activity such as “liking” or “sharing” posts about Gaza, and even expressing political opinions related to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. The Department of State is reportedly using an AI-based surveillance tool called "Catch and Revoke" to monitor international students' digital footprints. This tool scans social media and online behavior to detect suspected support for Hamas or other organizations deemed terrorist groups by the US government. Although the tool's capabilities remain undisclosed, students across the country are reporting sudden cancellations of their F-1 visas with little to no due process.

Federal Directive Under Marco Rubio Triggers Visa Scrutiny
The visa crackdown gained momentum following a directive reportedly issued by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 25. The directive mandates mandatory social media reviews of all international students and visa applicants, extending even to those who are not directly involved in activism or protests. According to a report in the Times of India, more than 300 student visas have been revoked under this new policy as of early April. In a statement, Rubio confirmed the administration’s aggressive stance. “Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visa,” he said. “Anyone engaging in pro-Hamas rhetoric, online or in person, will face consequences.”

While the US government maintains that national security is the priority, critics argue the process lacks transparency and due diligence. International students, most of whom are not privy to legal resources, are left helpless, often discovering their visa status has changed only when trying to re-enter the US, renew a document, or check institutional databases.  University administrators have expressed concern over this unprecedented wave of revocations, citing the chilling effect on freedom of speech and the fear it has generated among international communities. Many students have begun to censor their online presence, fearing that even mild expressions of political opinion could trigger suspicion.

The 2024 Open Doors Report reveals that the US hosted a record 1.1 million international students during the 2023–24 academic year, with over 330,000 students from India—making it one of the most significant education corridors globally. For Indian families investing in US education, the current developments are deeply worrying. Many legal experts are now urging affected students to seek immigration counsel, while advocacy groups push for greater clarity and accountability in visa-related decisions. The broader implication of these actions raises pressing questions about civil liberties, due process, and the risks of using AI in high-stakes immigration decisions without human oversight. As the situation evolves, universities and consulates are expected to issue new advisories, and diplomatic discussions between the US and countries like India may gain urgency. Until then, students are advised to tread cautiously—both on campus and online.