Trump Administration Faces Backlash Over Detention of Over 300 International Students

Legal challenges and protests intensify as federal judges block some deportations, while ICE's opaque visa revocations draw scrutiny.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the revocation of over 300 visas for international students, citing national security concerns tied to pro-Palestinian activism.
Federal judges have temporarily blocked deportations in several high-profile cases, including those of Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk, as legal challenges accuse the administration of viewpoint discrimination.
ICE has reportedly been manually revoking students' immigration statuses in the SEVIS database without notifying universities or students, creating confusion and fear.
The University of Minnesota confirmed the detention of an international graduate student, prompting demands for transparency from Governor Tim Walz and university officials.
Critics argue the crackdown undermines free speech and academic freedom, with some comparing the actions to McCarthyism and raising concerns about the use of AI-driven surveillance.