Trump Administration Revokes Visas, Targets Student Activists

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of over 300 student visas under the Trump administration, including that of Tufts University graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was arrested by immigration agents for her advocacy of Palestinian rights. Ozturk's detention, which was captured on video, has been criticized as a politically motivated act against dissent, with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley labeling it a form of terror to silence opposition. Rubio defended the visa revocations, alleging that Ozturk engaged in activities harmful to U.S. foreign policy, despite government documents lacking evidence of any unlawful behavior. Legal challenges have emerged from other targeted students, like British-Gambian doctoral student Momodou Taal, highlighting a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism in U.S. universities. Observers and advocates argue that these actions reflect a serious threat to free speech and academic freedom in America. The situation has raised alarms about the administration's tactics that seem to target students based on their political expressions.