U.S. Revokes 300+ Visas for Activist Students Amid Protests

The U.S. government, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has revoked over 300 F-1 student visas, primarily targeting international students engaged in campus activism related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. This crackdown includes the launch of an AI app to detect and cancel visas of students found supporting groups like Hamas, with Rubio stating that the effort to identify and deport these individuals is ongoing. Notably, UCLA has banned the pro-Palestinian organizations Students for Justice in Palestine, citing a commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment amid investigations into antisemitism. Students involved in activism, such as Ali, express fear of retaliation and deportation, prompting many to alter their behavior to avoid scrutiny. Critics argue that these actions violate free speech, while the administration defends its stance as necessary to uphold U.S. foreign policy. The situation has sparked a broader debate about immigration policy and the rights of student activists in the U.S.