6,000 US Student Visas Revoked: Is Studying in the US Worth the Risk?

You’ve worked for years, got your US student visa, and dreamed of that first campus walk. Then, in a flash, it’s gone. Just like that, your plans, your future, your hard work have vanished. That’s what’s happening to thousands under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has cancelled over 6,000 visas in just seven months.

Most of the cancellations are tied to legal issues like assault, DUI, burglary, or support for terrorism, with about 4,000 specifically linked to breaking the law. But some students are losing their visas for simply speaking out. Rubio has made it clear that he is targeting activist students, especially from China, using a little-known law that lets him revoke visas without judicial review. He also claims non-US citizens don’t have constitutional free speech rights.

Also read: PH Travellers Safe from New US Visa Bond Rule

Students protesting Israel or writing critical articles have been dragged off streets by plainclothes agents. Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University, was detained even though he is a legal permanent resident. He was freed later by a judge, but the shock stayed. Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student, faced the same nightmare after publishing a critical article at Tufts University.

These aren’t just stories, they are warnings. How safe is studying abroad when one protest, one opinion, or one article could ruin everything? Students are forced to weigh their dreams against the risk of losing it all overnight.

Some call it law enforcement. Others see it as fear dressed as policy. Either way, it begs the question: can you ever feel safe when your future can disappear in an instant?

Also read: Filipino Green Card Holder Detained by ICE After Trip Back to US

Would You Risk It?

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Studying abroad isn’t just about books and exams. It’s about watching every move, knowing even small actions could backfire, and preparing for surprises you never imagined. The US may offer opportunities, but it also brings risks that no one can ignore.

Even the most careful students aren’t fully safe. One protest, one article, one wrong move, and years of effort can vanish. The real lesson is that holding a visa doesn’t guarantee safety. Understanding the world you are stepping into and the possible consequences matters just as much.