Trump Revokes Visas for Foreign Students in California

• Trump Revokes Visas for Foreign Students in California
• As Reported by EFE
• Here Are the Details

Nearly two dozen international university students in California have lost their visas following a new wave of restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.

The measure has affected students across several campuses in the University of California system, including UCLA, as well as private institutions like Stanford.

The University of California, the state’s largest educational system, confirmed on Friday that multiple students had their immigration status revoked without prior notice.

“This is a fluid situation, and we continue monitoring the implications for our university community and those affected,” the institution said in a statement.

Trump Revokes Visas for Foreign Students in California

| #UnitedStates has revoked visas for dozens of students and alumni from California universities
Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Davis, UC Irvine, and UCLA reported mass visa cancellations for members of their communities… pic.twitter.com/MFN0QDLHJA

— Observador (@GrupoObservador) April 7, 2025

According to the Los Angeles Times, at least eight international students at UCLA—an epicenter of pro-Palestinian protests in 2024—were notified that their visas had been canceled.

The campus witnessed clashes between protesters and pro-Israel groups, culminating in police dismantling a protest encampment.

Trump’s immigration policy has increasingly targeted foreign students, particularly those linked to political activism or with minor infractions on their records.

Affected students received emails from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with immediate orders to leave the country.

Students Affected by the Policy

| #UnitedStates has revoked visas for dozens of students and alumni from California universities
Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Davis, UC Irvine, and UCLA reported mass visa cancellations for members of their communities… pic.twitter.com/fbganbxuho

— Expedientes (@Expedientes_ec) April 7, 2025

In San Diego, Chancellor Pradeep Khosla confirmed that five foreign students had their visas revoked and a sixth was deported after attempting to re-enter the country.

“The federal government has not explained the reasons behind these cancellations,” the chancellor said, adding that no official warning was given to the university.

Private university Stanford was also hit: four current students and two recent graduates lost their legal residency status.

The situation has raised alarms across California’s academic sector, where many fear increasing surveillance and punishment of student activism.

Support for Affected Students

#World | Alarm in California universities: The U.S. has revoked visas for dozens of students and alumni. https://t.co/n57l2SxV0J

— Revista Semana (@RevistaSemana) April 7, 2025

UC system President Michael Drake expressed support for the affected students, pledging that universities would work to protect their rights.

However, the university system faces growing pressure from Washington, where officials have threatened to cut funding for institutions that promote diversity and inclusion policies.

This comes amid a broader offensive by Donald Trump’s administration.

In late March, the Department of Justice launched investigations into several California universities, including UC Berkeley and UC Irvine, to evaluate their compliance with new regulations aimed at reducing racial diversity considerations in admissions.

Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Students Intensifies

The crackdown intensified after the arrest of Mahmud Khalil, a Columbia University activist who became a symbol of student dissent.

Rather than backing down, Donald Trump’s administration has doubled down on its strategy.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed from Guyana that visa cancellations will continue:

“We do this every day. Whenever we find one of these lunatics, we take away their visa,” he declared.

Rising Fear on Campus

Beyond political activism, even minor offenses—such as traffic violations or alcohol use—have become grounds for visa revocation in the US.

The University of Minnesota reported the expulsion of five students this week under such charges.

For now, affected institutions are seeking clarity on the government’s criteria and looking for legal support for their students.

Meanwhile, fear is growing on campuses amid a policy that many see as a direct threat to free speech and academic diversity in the United States.

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