A growing number of international students across the United States are facing the revocation of their student visas, and universities, including several in Texas, are being forced to address the fallout. Among the institutions impacted are the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of North Texas, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas at Austin.
Though the reason behind the revocations remains unclear, investigations into the social media activity of visa applicants by the Trump administration have been cited as a possible factor. This scrutiny is part of a broader initiative to monitor individuals who may be participating in activities deemed to contradict U.S. national interests.
UT Dallas has confirmed the revocation of visas for 19 students; University of North Texas (UNT) has reported 27 visa terminations; Texas A&M University confirmed that 15 of its students are affected; The University of Texas at San Antonio has stated that two current and two former students have had their visas revoked.
The controversy surrounding student visas in Texas follows a series of actions led by the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has made it clear that international students participating in activities contrary to U.S. interests, or who break the law, will face visa cancellations, as reported by Fox 4 News. In May 2024, the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) found itself at the center of attention when students organized protests in support of Palestine. These demonstrations, which included calls for the university to divest from corporations linked to Israeli military operations in Gaza, resulted in arrests and disciplinary actions.
However, UTD officials have refrained from confirming whether any of the 19 students whose visas were revoked were involved in the protests.
While some Texas universities have been directly impacted, others have not provided detailed information on how many students have been affected. Universities like Southern Methodist University (SMU), Texas Christian University (TCU), and UT Arlington have not yet responded to inquiries about visa revocations.
Sarah Spreitzer, a representative from the American Council on Education, expressed concern over the lack of clarity surrounding the reason for the visa terminations. “We’ve heard that the government is specifically targeting students who publicly participated in protests or supported organizations like Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist group,” she said. “However, some students are unclear about what criminal activities are being referenced, with some suspecting that even minor infractions, like a speeding ticket, could be influencing the decisions.”
The issue seems to have been triggered by the case of Ranjani Srinivasan, an international student from India studying at Columbia University. Her student visa was abruptly revoked by U.S. immigration authorities without explanation, prompting her to flee to Canada after ICE agents came searching for her. Srinivasan, a Fulbright scholar pursuing urban planning, had been actively involved in pro-Palestinian activism, including supporting social media posts and open letters advocating for Palestinian liberation. Despite no evidence being presented, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security accused her of supporting terrorism and violence, specifically alleging ties to Hamas.
Her visa was revoked after she failed to disclose court summonses related to protests she participated in at Columbia University. These summonses were ultimately dismissed, and no criminal record was established. However, ICE’s aggressive tactics, including repeated visits to her apartment and the execution of a search warrant, have sparked outrage. Many view these actions as politically motivated, aimed at suppressing pro-Palestinian expression.
This case reflects a broader effort to crack down on student activists at Columbia, aligning with a larger political agenda during the Trump administration to target pro-Palestinian groups and ideologies. Despite the accusations, Srinivasan’s legal team argues that her visa revocation was primarily due to her protected political speech, with no meaningful due process offered. After ICE’s repeated attempts to locate her, Srinivasan left the U.S. for Canada, where she is now seeking refuge, as reported by The New York Times.
While the situation in Nicaragua is significantly different from that of the United States, some observers have drawn comparisons regarding the broader implications of government involvement in higher education. In Nicaragua, recent government actions have led to increased control over universities, including legislation that grants the executive branch greater authority in appointing university leadership. Critics argue that this centralization of power undermines academic autonomy and limits institutional independence.
Though the context and legal frameworks vary, both cases raise questions about how government decisions can affect students’ educational access and the ability of institutions to operate freely. In the U.S., the growing number of visa revocations has introduced new uncertainties for international students and sparked debates around academic freedom and the potential consequences of political expression on campus.
As the Trump administration’s policies unfold, universities face mounting pressure to support their international student populations, many of whom are left uncertain about the future of their academic careers. The American Council on Education has called for greater transparency in the application of these policies, urging the government to clarify the criteria used for visa revocations and ensure due process is followed.
