BLOGSIA.EU.ORG - In a major escalation of legal tensions surrounding immigration policy, attorneys general from 20 U.S. states have filed an emergency order to halt federal immigration authorities from revoking the visas of hundreds of international students.
The move follows a series of controversial decisions by the Trump administration, which critics argue are politically motivated and infringe upon constitutional rights.
According to a report by Kompas.com (17/04/2025), the legal challenge, submitted on Friday, April 11, highlights that approximately 700 foreign students have lost their visa status recently. Often, students were forced to leave the United States mere weeks before graduation, leaving their futures uncertain.
The Trump administration has defended the move, stating that the visa revocations target students with "malicious intent" toward the country.
According to a report by Kompas.com (17/04/2025), the legal challenge, submitted on Friday, April 11, highlights that approximately 700 foreign students have lost their visa status recently. Often, students were forced to leave the United States mere weeks before graduation, leaving their futures uncertain.
The Trump administration has defended the move, stating that the visa revocations target students with "malicious intent" toward the country.
However, reports from USA Today and other outlets reveal that the policy has disproportionately affected students who have publicly expressed solidarity with Palestine.
One such case is Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student who had his visa revoked after participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
One such case is Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student who had his visa revoked after participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
He is now detained in an immigration facility in Louisiana. Similarly, Rumeysa Ozturk, a student at Tufts University, reportedly lost her visa after writing an editorial critical of the Gaza conflict in her campus magazine.
Legal experts and civil rights groups have sharply criticized the policy, calling it a violation of the First Amendment. Professor Robert Cohen of New York University stated:
Legal experts and civil rights groups have sharply criticized the policy, calling it a violation of the First Amendment. Professor Robert Cohen of New York University stated:
“This is a subtle but effective way for the Trump administration to suppress dissent. It’s clear that freedom of speech only applies when it aligns with their views.”
The crackdown has not been limited to students involved in political expression. Several students have had their visas revoked despite only minor infractions or unclear reasons.
The crackdown has not been limited to students involved in political expression. Several students have had their visas revoked despite only minor infractions or unclear reasons.
or example, Krish Isserdasani, an Indian student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, lost his visa after being briefly detained over a minor accusation that prosecutors later dropped.
Two other students from Iran and Turkey, studying at Montana State University, also had their visas canceled without any proven misconduct or political activity.
Major universities across the country have reported increasing instances of mass visa revocations. The University of Wisconsin system has confirmed at least 40 cases, including 26 from its Madison campus alone.
Higher education associations are demanding answers. The American Council on Education sent a formal letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning that the administration’s actions are undermining institutional stability and international student confidence.
Major universities across the country have reported increasing instances of mass visa revocations. The University of Wisconsin system has confirmed at least 40 cases, including 26 from its Madison campus alone.
Higher education associations are demanding answers. The American Council on Education sent a formal letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning that the administration’s actions are undermining institutional stability and international student confidence.
“Recent government decisions have created uncertainty and severely impacted our ability to provide guidance to international students,” the letter read.
Civil rights organizations have also taken legal action. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed multiple lawsuits, including in Michigan and Indiana, representing students whose visa statuses were abruptly terminated.
Civil rights organizations have also taken legal action. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed multiple lawsuits, including in Michigan and Indiana, representing students whose visa statuses were abruptly terminated.
“The human impact is devastating,” said Ken Falk of ACLU Indiana. “These students now live in fear of being deported at any moment.”
As the legal battle unfolds, international students across the U.S. are watching anxiously. What began as a targeted enforcement policy has now ignited a national debate over immigration, free speech, and academic freedom — with far-reaching consequences for the future of international education in America.
As the legal battle unfolds, international students across the U.S. are watching anxiously. What began as a targeted enforcement policy has now ignited a national debate over immigration, free speech, and academic freedom — with far-reaching consequences for the future of international education in America.
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