The U.S. State Department, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, has revoked approximately 300 visas of foreign students involved in campus activism deemed disruptive. This action follows the recent detention of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk for alleged support of Hamas.
During a press conference in Guyana on March 27, 2025, Rubio emphasized that student visas are intended for academic pursuits, not activism. He stated, “We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist,” Rubio warned that any foreign student causing disturbances would have their visa revoked.
The crackdown intensified after Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts, co-authored a March 2024 op-ed criticizing the university’s ties to Israel and calling for divestment from companies linked to Israel. The Department of Homeland Security alleges that Ozturk engaged in activities supporting Hamas, though specific evidence has not been publicly disclosed.
Ozturk’s detention is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to address perceived threats from foreign nationals involved in political activism on U.S. campuses. Rubio defended these actions, stating, “Every country in the world has a right to decide who comes in as a visitor and who doesn’t.”
Rubio went on to add “I encourage every country to do that, by the way, because I think it’s crazy to invite students into your country that are coming onto your campus and destabilizing it…We’re just not going to have it.”
Critics argue that this policy infringes on free speech rights and targets individuals based on political beliefs.
Conservatives contend that it is necessary to maintain order and protect national security interests. The United States has the responsibility to ensure that foreign nationals do not exploit academic opportunities to push radical agendas or promote anti-American activism.
By revoking visas of those engaging in disruptive behavior, the administration is sending a clear message: the U.S. will not tolerate foreign interference in domestic affairs.
