US Student Visa Crackdown Sparks Panic Among International Students Over Social Media Activity

The US government has revoked F-1 visas of hundreds of international students over alleged political activity, including social media engagement. The move, driven by a new AI surveillance program, has sparked fear and legal uncertainty, with many questioning the implications for free speech and the fairness of immigration enforcement

A wave of panic has swept across international student communities in the US after hundreds of F-1 visa holders received sudden revocation notices from the Department of State. The unexpected action, reportedly influenced by students’ involvement in political activism or even their engagement with controversial content on social media, has raised deep concerns about freedom of expression and immigration fairness.

The Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, launched an aggressive crackdown targeting students allegedly involved in "anti-national" behavior. According to officials, activities such as attending protests or even liking or commenting on politically sensitive posts could now jeopardize a student’s visa status. Legal notices cite Section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act as the basis for the revocations.

One of the most alarming aspects of the move is its retroactive nature—students with clean legal records and solid academic performance are being forced to leave the country without prior hearings. Many, including Indian nationals, were stunned to discover their visas revoked, with instructions to self-deport using a new app called "CBP Home."

Rubio defended the policy, stating that the US has full discretion over who may enter or remain in the country. The Department of State also confirmed that a new AI-powered monitoring tool, "Catch and Revoke," is being used to track suspected ties to extremist content.

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The actions have stirred a national debate about the balance between national security and individual rights. Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups have warned students to be cautious about their online behavior and to maintain up-to-date records of their legal status. Amid the legal confusion, many affected students are left wondering whether digital expression alone should dictate their right to education.