**Trump Administration’s Visa Revocation Sparks Fear Among International Students**
The Trump administration has been cracking down on international students, citing national security concerns as the reason for revoking visas. However, many students and faculty members at top universities, including Ivy League institutions, claim that this is a ploy to silence pro-Palestinian activists.
One student visa-holder at Georgetown University, who had written articles about the Israel-Gaza war, fears that he could be next on the list of those targeted by the administration. He now carries a card listing his criminal record, just in case.
**A Pattern of Targeting Pro-Palestinian Activists**
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has admitted that at least 300 international students have had their visas revoked by the Trump administration. Many of these students were involved in pro-Palestinian protests, which officials claim created an “unsafe environment.” However, civil liberties groups argue that this is a clear case of targeting political speech and violating constitutional rights.
**A Wider Campaign to Crack Down on Dissent**
The revocation of visas is part of a wider White House push to silence protesters who disagree with the administration’s policies. The Department of Homeland Security has accused a conflict resolution researcher at Georgetown University of promoting antisemitism and having links to “known or suspected terrorists.” However, this claim appears to be based on a flimsy pretext – his Palestinian father.
**The Impact on Students and Universities**
The fear among international students is palpable. Many are now too afraid to leave their homes or attend classes, fearing that they will be detained or deported by immigration officers in plain clothes. At Tufts University outside Boston, Massachusetts, students wait with bated breath to see what will happen next.
Professors at Georgetown have even started offering spare rooms to students who are worried about being visited by immigration officers. “This is a part of the trauma I think students are experiencing,” said Professor Hashemi.
**A Broader Attack on Academic Freedom**
The Trump administration’s actions are not limited to revoking visas. This week, the White House froze $2 billion in funding for Harvard University after it refused to agree to a list of demands that would have effectively surrendered its independence.
As one student pointed out, “How deep does this administration go into the past of an immigrant?” He asked, “What if it turns out that I said something and didn’t know?”
**The Fear is Real**
For many international students, the fear is real. They are now afraid to be out in public, afraid to go to school, and afraid to even grocery shop. As one master’s candidate put it, “I’m scared that agents will approach me if I walk.”
The Trump administration’s actions have created a climate of fear among international students. It remains to be seen how long this will last, but one thing is certain – the impact on academic freedom and civil liberties will be felt for years to come.
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