Crackdown on Politically Active International Students

Several international students in the United States, including Harvard researcher Kseniia Petrova and Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, are facing detention and potential deportation due to visa issues and political activism. Ozturk, a Turkish Ph.D. student, was arrested by ICE for alleged 'activities in support of Hamas,' despite no formal charges being filed, which has sparked criticism from lawmakers and civil rights groups. The Trump administration has been criticized for targeting students involved in protests against Israeli actions in Gaza, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio defending visa revocations. Petrova, from Russia, was detained for failing to declare frog embryos at customs, raising concerns about her safety if deported due to her anti-Russia protests. Similar cases of visa revocations have been reported, including against an Iranian student and an Indian researcher, indicating a broader crackdown on international students perceived as politically active. These developments have heightened concerns regarding the violation of constitutional rights and due process for international students in the U.S.