The Trump administration is intensifying its efforts against international student visa-holders, particularly through Secretary of State Marco Rubio's controversial “Catch and Revoke” program. This initiative is specifically aimed at pro-Palestine activists. Reports have emerged of several foreign students being arrested and detained, forcibly taken by plainclothes agents in unmarked vehicles, while others remain in hiding as their legal battles unfold. As of Thursday, Rubio claimed to have revoked more than 300 visas, stating, “We do it every day. Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” according to The Washington Post’s John Hudson.
In a concerning development, Axios has reported that the Trump administration is considering measures to prohibit specific colleges from enrolling foreign students, particularly if these institutions are perceived to have a high number of “pro-Hamas” students. The administration’s focus has primarily been on students who have publicly protested or spoken out against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Rubio has expressed that these students’ “presence or activities in the United States would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”
The Trump administration's efforts to combat perceived antisemitism also include an executive order aimed at addressing these concerns. The education department has reached out to 60 universities to express worries regarding “anti-Jewish racism.” Additionally, the administration is proposing that immigrants applying for green cards or U.S. citizenship disclose their social media handles. Trump has made it clear that those participating in pro-Palestine protests should be prepared for consequences. “To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: Come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you,” he declared shortly after taking office.
In response to these aggressive measures, civil rights groups have vocally opposed the Trump administration’s actions, arguing that they represent an unconstitutional infringement on free speech. Organizations like the ACLU and Democracy Forward have initiated lawsuits against the administration, contending that its immigration agenda is both lawless and harmful. Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, criticized the administration's approach as an “accelerating authoritarian playbook,” highlighting the potential implications for law-abiding citizens and communities of faith.
Here’s a closer look at some of the international students who have been detained or targeted by the Trump administration, along with their current immigration statuses and potential outcomes.
Mahmoud KhalilOn March 8, Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his New York City apartment, while his pregnant wife captured the scene on video. Khalil, a 30-year-old Palestinian refugee who completed his graduate degree at Columbia University, had been a prominent figure in pro-Palestine protests. After his arrest, he was informed that both his green card and student visa had been revoked. Currently, Khalil is held in an ICE detention facility in Louisiana, under a temporary order preventing his deportation as his case progresses.
Ranjani SrinivasanJust one day before Khalil's arrest, federal agents visited the apartment of Ranjani Srinivasan, a graduate architecture student at Columbia University. Having moved to the U.S. from India as a Fulbright scholar in 2016, Srinivasan fled to Canada after learning that her student visa had been revoked. “I’m fearful that even the most low-level political speech can turn into this dystopian nightmare,” she expressed, illustrating the chilling effects of the administration’s actions on political expression.
Yunseo ChungYunseo Chung, a long-time U.S. resident and Barnard College student, was also targeted after participating in a pro-Palestine protest. Following her arrest, ICE agents indicated that her permanent resident status had been revoked. Chung has since filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging a violation of her First Amendment rights. A judge has temporarily halted her deportation, allowing her to remain in the country for now.
Momodou TaalCornell University Ph.D. student Momodou Taal faces deportation following the revocation of his F-1 student visa. Taal, a dual U.K. and Gambian citizen, is part of a lawsuit challenging the administration's actions, citing retaliation against protected speech. He remains in hiding as he navigates the legal system.
Badar Khan SuriBadar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University postdoctoral fellow, was detained by ICE agents, who cited foreign policy reasons for his visa revocation. His case is currently under judicial review, and he is being held in Texas. Suri’s detainment has raised significant concerns regarding academic freedom and freedom of expression.
Rumeysa OzturkLastly, Rumeysa Ozturk, a Fulbright Scholar at Tufts University, was apprehended by ICE agents while on her way to an Iftar dinner. Despite a court order preventing her relocation, she was transferred to a processing facility in Louisiana. Ozturk has also been accused by government officials of supporting Hamas, claims which remain unsubstantiated.
The ongoing actions by the Trump administration against international student visa-holders raise critical questions about free speech, academic freedom, and the rights of immigrants in the United States. As these cases unfold, civil rights organizations continue to advocate for the protection of fundamental liberties for all individuals, regardless of their political beliefs.
