The United States government has recently canceled the student visas of nearly 5,000 international students, including nationals from India, Bangladesh, and other countries. This decision was made following a joint operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of State.
The Scope of Immigration Enforcement Actions Against International Students" by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), it is stated that among the students whose visas have been canceled, 50% are from India and 14% from China. Additionally, students from South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh are also on the list.
For the past four months, the U.S. The State Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been monitoring international students’ data, activities, and social media presence. Many have alleged that this surveillance is being conducted through artificial intelligence (AI), raising concerns that even students without any criminal history or links to campus protests are being misidentified.
In March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a program called "Catch and Revoke" aimed at monitoring and identifying student visa holders. Rubio stated that their social media activity would be reviewed, and strict action would be taken if there was any indication of antisemitism or support for Palestine or Hamas.
According to sources, student visas were canceled for those enrolled in “false enrollment” schemes or who failed to maintain full-time academic status as required. The majority of these students are from India, but others from Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, and China are also affected.
In a statement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said, “We do not tolerate any abuse of our immigration policies. Those misusing student visas will face strict consequences.”
The incident has caused considerable concern among Bangladeshi students and parents. Many students have found themselves in this crisis within just a few months of arriving in the United States.
A Bangladeshi student in New York shared, “I got admitted to a recognized college and have been attending classes regularly. But suddenly I was informed that my visa was canceled. I’m now living in fear of being deported.”
The Indian Embassy has contacted the U.S. State Department, calling for a transparent investigation and fair process. The Bangladesh Embassy has also launched a helpline to assist affected students.
The U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tracks international students and exchange visitors through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
According to a press release by ICE, the SEVIS system has recorded the cancellation of visa statuses for 4,736 international students, most of whom hold F-1 visas.
The visa cancellation process itself has come under scrutiny. Only 57% of affected students received official notices, and even then, primarily via email. Among all cases, only two students were found to have any links to political protests. Moreover, in many cases, proper procedures were not followed. Some students were informed by their universities, while others received no official communication from the government. Most were denied any opportunity to present their side or defend themselves.
AILA has called this administrative action "unprecedented," stating that it raises several legal concerns and may require legal action to resolve.
The impact of these visa cancellations is significant, as half of the 327 reviewed cases involved students under Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows F-1 visa holders to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months after graduation. Now, these students can no longer continue their employment. The states most affected by this development include Texas, California, New York, Michigan, and Arizona.
Significantly, a review by the Associated Press (AP) of university statements and correspondence with school officials reveals that since late March, nearly 1,000 international students across U.S. colleges and universities have either had their visas revoked or lost their legal status.
Many of those who have lost legal status are from India and China—countries that together account for over half of the international student population in the U.S. However, lawyers emphasize that this crackdown is not limited to students from any one specific region of the world.
According to a report by NDTV, the Indian government has responded. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are aware that several Indian students have received notifications from the U.S. government regarding their F-1 visa status. We are investigating the matter. Our embassy and consulates are in contact with the students.”
Experts point out that U.S. authorities have been increasing scrutiny on student visas over the past year, particularly targeting those who enroll in low-ranked or largely online institutions with the intention of misusing visa privileges.
In light of the situation, international students residing in the United States are being strongly urged to actively engage in their academic programs and strictly adhere to visa regulations.