DASH Cancels Over 6,000 Student Visas, Embassy Says They Backed Terrorism

(UNITED STATES) The United States 🇺🇸 has revoked more than 6,000 student visas in 2025, according to the State Department, which says the cancellations stem from violations of U.S. law, visa overstays, criminal conduct, and alleged support for terrorism. American Embassy officials echoed that message, saying the actions reflect national security priorities. The surge follows a January 20, 2025 executive order signed by President Trump that broadened visa-revocation grounds and tightened monitoring of international students.

As of mid-August, the State Department reports that about 40,000 visas of all types have been revoked this year, up sharply from roughly 16,000 during the same period under the previous administration. Nearly 4,000 student visa revocations were tied to criminal law violations, including around 800 in assault-related cases. Officials also attribute 200–300 revocations directly to alleged “supporting terrorism.” Separately, Immigration and Customs Enforcement data show that more than 4,700 SEVIS records have been terminated in 2025, a change that blocks continued study, work authorization, and travel benefits.

Policy changes and enforcement shift

The administration links the crackdown to the executive order titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” Under that directive, consular and security reviews now include:

• Mandatory social media disclosure
• Enhanced monitoring of student activities
• Broader criteria for what counts as a national security concern

According to officials, these measures seek to identify risks earlier and prevent misuse of student visas.

One of the most consequential procedural changes involves simultaneous termination of both visa and SEVIS status. Under past practice, a student whose visa was canceled could sometimes remain in the country to finish a semester while sorting out options with the school’s international office. This year, authorities are terminating both the visa and SEVIS status at the same time, which triggers immediate departure.

In many cases, students say they learn of the decision through abrupt email or text messages that instruct them to leave. Universities often receive notice only after the fact, leaving international offices scrambling to understand the basis for a revocation and to advise affected students.

Senior State Department officials say every case involves a violation of law or support for terrorism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has argued publicly that some students aimed “not just to study but to participate in movements that vandalize universities, harass students, take over buildings and cause chaos.” Higher education groups, including the American Council on Education, are pushing back, urging clearer standards, transparent explanations, and an opportunity for students to respond before life-changing decisions take effect.

Lawsuits are mounting. Advocacy groups and students have filed at least 16 legal challenges, claiming that many cancellations are arbitrary and violate constitutional rights. While a handful of courts have ordered SEVIS status restored in specific cases, attorneys say those rulings are limited and fact-specific, and they caution that court relief remains uncommon.

Human impact, campus fallout, and data gaps

The consequences are immediate and severe.

• When a student’s visa and SEVIS record are revoked, the person loses status and must leave the United States right away.
• That means an abrupt stop to classes and research, and loss of work programs like OPT (Optional Practical Training).
• For students close to graduation, the loss of OPT can derail early career plans.

For universities, mid-semester withdrawals disrupt labs, group projects, and teaching schedules, while international offices face heavy casework with limited information.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the pattern of revocations appears to track with campuses that have large international populations, rather than single nationalities. Both public and private institutions report cases. Some public universities, such as Arizona State University, have seen higher counts.

Advocates report what they see as a targeting of political activism, especially around campus protests backing Palestinian rights and other controversial causes. Officials deny any political motive and say national security drives the decisions.

Transparency remains a sore point. Data from one tracker cited by university advocates showed that 86% of SEVIS status changes listed no clear rationale. Students report confusion and fear, particularly when notices come without a detailed explanation. For some, a single protest arrest or a social media post has sparked scrutiny; for others, an unrelated off-campus incident triggered action.

Legal experts note that while international students do have constitutional protections, the government can revoke a visa unilaterally, and appeals rarely succeed.

Universities are trying to fill the gaps. Examples of institutional responses include:

• UMass Amherst: set up emergency funds for legal fees and travel costs
• International student offices: advising students to review campus codes of conduct, document their status, and speak with counsel after any police contact
• Higher education associations: pressing the administration for clearer guidance and a chance for schools to respond before SEVIS termination

What happens after a revocation

Process details shared by schools and advocates show a fast timeline:

1. Notification: The State Department notifies the student, often with little warning.
2. SEVIS update: The school’s Designated School Official sees a termination notice in SEVIS.
3. Departure requirement: The student must depart the U.S. immediately; failure to do so may lead to detention or removal.
4. Legal challenge: Lawsuits are possible but success rates are low and cases can take months.
5. Restoration in rare cases: Some courts have restored SEVIS status, but only in limited, case-specific situations.

For official visa information, the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Services page is the primary reference for policy and process updates: https://travel.state.gov. University international offices and local immigration attorneys remain first-stop resources for case-specific advice.

Broader consequences and ongoing developments

Critics warn the scale of cancellations—over 6,000 student visas and about 40,000 total visa revocations so far this year—could affect the country’s appeal to future applicants and slow research output. Government officials counter that careful screening protects campuses and surrounding communities.

As of August 21, 2025, higher education associations are lobbying for a review of the policy and more due process, but there has been no major reversal. The Trump administration has signaled that enforcement and monitoring will continue through the academic year.

Amid legal battles, students and schools are adapting to a tougher environment:

• Campus protests, social media activity, and off-campus conduct can all draw attention under the new criteria.
• With enhanced vetting now the norm and SEVIS terminations tied directly to visa revocations, international students face little margin for error.
• While some court rulings have offered brief relief, most cases end with swift departures, interrupted studies, and uncertain paths back to the classroom.

Key takeaway: simultaneous visa and SEVIS terminations create immediate travel and study consequences, and limited transparency plus low successful appeal rates leave many students and universities scrambling for remedies.