By The Sampadak Express
Hundreds of international students in the United States have been left in shock after receiving emails from the US Department of State (DOS) instructing them to self-deport due to the revocation of their F-1 student visas. The unexpected crackdown, which is reportedly targeting students involved in campus activism, extends beyond those directly participating in protests. Even students who have engaged with “anti-national” posts on social media by liking, sharing, or commenting are now facing scrutiny, raising concerns about the limits of free expression for foreign students in the US.
Among those affected are students from India, a country with a significant presence in US academia. Immigration attorneys have confirmed that even minimal involvement in political social media activity, such as sharing a post, could lead to the revocation of an F-1 visa. According to The Times of India, some students are reportedly facing these actions for merely engaging with content that is politically sensitive.
As per the latest data from the Open Doors report, of the 1.1 million international students in the US for the 2023-24 academic year, 331,000 are from India, highlighting the large number of students potentially impacted by these measures.
What Is the F-1 Visa?
The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to live in the US while pursuing academic studies at accredited institutions. This includes universities, colleges, high schools, conservatories, and language training programs. To be eligible for an F-1 visa, students must be accepted into a full-time program at a SEVP-certified school, demonstrate English proficiency, and prove sufficient financial resources to support their education and living expenses.
US Crackdown on F-1 Visa Holders
The crackdown follows recent remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that international student visas had been revoked due to “anti-national” activities. Rubio emphasized that the US has the right to determine who can enter the country, reinforcing the government’s power over visa issuances and revocations.
Additionally, the introduction of the AI-powered app “Catch and Revoke,” aimed at detecting students with ties to terrorist organizations such as Hamas, has expanded the scope of scrutiny. The DOS has begun reviewing the social media activity of new student visa applicants, with those found guilty of sharing politically sensitive content potentially facing visa denials or revocation.
The Startling Email
Affected students received an alarming email from the DOS, notifying them that their F-1 visa had been revoked under Section 221(i) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act. The email warned that staying in the US without legal immigration status could lead to fines, detention, or deportation. In some cases, students may be sent back to countries other than their home nations.
The email also informed students that if they wish to travel to the US again in the future, they would need to apply for a new visa, with eligibility determined at that time. Furthermore, students were instructed to use the CBP Home App, introduced during the Trump administration, to facilitate their departure from the US, and warned not to attempt using their revoked visas.
Rising Concerns Among Students
The crackdown has sparked significant anxiety and uncertainty among students. Secretary Rubio’s statements that visas are not a “birthright” and his warning that those who violate the terms of their visitation must leave the country have amplified fears. “If you violate the terms of your visitation, you are going to leave,” Rubio stated in a recent interview.
Some affected students have taken to social media and online forums to express their frustration. One anonymous student shared their experience on Reddit, stating that their visa was revoked despite having no criminal record and maintaining a high academic standing. They admitted to sharing political memes online but questioned whether this should affect their F-1 status, asking, “Don’t we have freedom of speech in the US?”
This situation raises important questions about the balance between national security concerns, freedom of expression, and the rights of international students studying in the United States.
