The United States has abruptly revoked the visas of over 400 international students, including Pakistanis, sparking backlash from American universities demanding answers from the government.
Reports indicate that the new policy involves rigorous screening of social media profiles for student visa applicants. According to The New York Times, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a directive on March 25 requiring diplomats to scrutinize applicants’ online activity—particularly those who have criticized the U.S. or Israel. Rubio stated the measure aims to deny entry to individuals opposing U.S. foreign policy.
In a separate move, Rubio announced the cancellation of all U.S. visas for South Sudanese passport holders, citing the interim government’s failure to cooperate in repatriating its citizens. He warned that countries refusing to accept deported nationals would face visa restrictions.
Recent investigations reveal that pro-Israel groups, such as Betar USA, have been monitoring U.S. campuses since the October 2023 Gaza conflict, compiling dossiers on pro-Palestinian students and faculty. Ross Glick, a leader of the initiative, confirmed that their intelligence has been used to identify non-citizen protesters for possible deportation—aligning with President Trump’s executive order targeting alleged “anti-Semitism” on campuses.
Notably, activists like Columbia University’s Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts University’s Rumeysa Ozturk have been detained without criminal charges, drawing condemnation from civil rights groups who call the actions politically motivated.
Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor the State Department has provided an official explanation for the visa cancellations.