Amnesty International Calls on US to Halt Student Visa Revocations
Amnesty International has demanded the US Department of Homeland Security cease revoking visas of foreign students, citing a sharp increase in deportation proceedings against protesters, Jurist News reported. In a letter-writing campaign launched Tuesday, the human rights organization condemned the targeting of students—particularly those protesting US or Gaza human rights violations—as discriminatory.
The campaign references Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent resident detained for participating in Gaza protests. This follows Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s March 27 announcement revoking over 300 student visas related to campus demonstrations, with total revocations now exceeding 1,300. Rubio accused some protesters of “vandalizing universities” and “creating a ruckus.”
While the Immigration and Nationality Act (1952) grants the US government broad discretion to deport noncitizens posing foreign policy risks, Amnesty argues current revocations violate rights to free expression, peaceful assembly, and due process. The letter condemns the Trump administration’s “repressive tactics” as undermining human rights protections.
Amnesty has repeatedly criticized US immigration detention systems for failing international standards, noting inadequate legal aid and poor detention conditions. The organization urges immediate reform to align with human rights obligations.
