Nigeria: US revokes over 6,000 student visas
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
The US State Department has revoked over 6,000 student visas due to violations of American laws, overstays, and security risks. The majority of these revocations were linked to offenses such as:
Approximately 4,000 visas were revoked due to crimes like assault, driving under the influence (DUI), and burglary.
Between 200 and 300 visas were canceled under Section 3B of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which defines terrorism as acts that endanger human life or break US law. The Trump administration has previously targeted students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, accusing them of antisemitic behavior, although the department didn’t clarify what “support for terrorism” entails.
The revocations are part of the Trump administration’s stricter student visa regime, which includes:
Increased scrutiny of visa applicants, including social media checks.
Applicants must provide access to their social media accounts for review.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the administration will continue to revoke visas of individuals who disrupt higher education facilities. This decision has drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue that the policy undermines due process and unfairly targets foreign students.
Despite the crackdown, the US remains a top destination for international education, with over 1.1 million foreign students enrolled in American colleges during the 2025 and probably 2026 academic year. The revocations have spark concerns about academic freedom and the impact on international students.
