The United States (US) has suddenly cancelled the visas of more than 400 international students, including Pakistanis and Muslims from other countries, without prior notice or legal proceedings, American media reported on Monday.

 

While there could be several reasons behind the cancellations, officials associated with colleges and universities suggest that the government is taking the action quietly as the Trump administration is reportedly targeting students who have participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. However, some students had their visas cancelled despite not taking part in any protest.

 

Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Michigan, Central Michigan University, Colorado State University, Minnesota State University, and several others are among the institutions whose students have been affected.

 

As per media reports, 12 students and graduates at UCLA had their visas revoked, while a student from the University of Michigan has already left the country.

 

The majority of the visa cancellations reportedly occurred during an audit of the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).

 

Meanwhile, universities are currently providing legal assistance and support to affected students. However, visa cancellations have created anxiety among international students. Student organizations have also raised questions about violations of due process.

 

On March 25, the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio laid out instructions in a long cable sent to diplomatic missions, instructing them to thoroughly review the social media activities of visa applicants in an effort to bar those suspected of criticizing US and Israel from entering the country, The New York Times had reported.

 

Rubio further emphasized that the move aims to block entry into the U.S. for individuals who express critical views about American foreign policy.

 

The edict comes just over two months after President Trump signed executive orders to begin a widespread effort to deport people in the U.S., such as those who may have “hostile attitudes” toward American “citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles.”

 

Trump also put forward an executive order to start cracking down on what he referred to as antisemitism, including deporting students who took part in campus protests against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

 

Rubio’s instructions stated that starting immediately, consular officers have to refer some student and exchange visitor visa applications to the “fraud prevention unit” for a “mandatory social media check” American media reports.