Dozens of Immigrant Students in Florida Have Had Their…

Dozens of Immigrant Students in Florida Have Had Their Visas Revoked As Marco Rubio's State Department Crackdown Continues

The University of South Florida in Tampa said it is aware some students "have experienced a change in their visa status," but declined to provide a number when asked (Credit: Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

At least 29 international students across Florida have had their visas revoked in recent weeks as the nationwide crackdown led by the Trump administration continues.

The cancellations are part of broader efforts by the State Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to scrutinize international students, either as a result of legal infractions and, most notably, for political activity they deem a threat to national security.

Florida International University (FIU) and the University of Florida (UF) have reported the highest numbers, with 18 and 8 revocations respectively, while Florida State University confirmed three additional cases, The Miami Herald reported on Tuesday.

A University of South Florida spokesperson confirmed to Axios that the status of students' visas have changed but declined to specify how many, adding that federal authorities can alter student status "without notice or explanation" to the institution.

While the government has pointed to political activity as a potential reason for the revocations—especially those involved in pro-Palestinian protests—many of them appear to be tied to minor legal incidents, such as speeding or parking tickets, according to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU in Michigan.

Nationwide, more than 1,000 student visas have been revoked in the last week according to The Herald. In Texas alone over 50 students were removed from the federal SEVIS database, which tracks student visa compliance. Removal from SEVIS results in immediate loss of legal status, preventing students from working, studying, or appealing the decision from within the U.S.

Attorney Jesse Bless, who previously worked for the Department of Justice, labelled the actions put forward by the government as "a purge of students" when speaking to the Herald, adding that "the government isn't explaining why or under what provision of law they are allowed to do this."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly stated his intention to revoke visas for students engaged in political activities deemed contrary to U.S. interests. He has also supported the use of artificial intelligence to cross-reference student records with law enforcement databases.

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