University of California Officials Report Dozens of Student Visas Revoked Over Palestinian Protests
Students were told to leave the country immediately, though it’s unclear how many have left. The number of visas revoked could rise, the State Department said.
Officials at the University of California’s Los Angeles and San Diego campuses said on April 6 that several international students lost their visas during the federal government crackdown on noncitizen pro-Palestinian protesters.
At least 12 students at UCLA and six at UC San Diego lost their F-1 visas, revoking their permission to study in the United States, U.S. officials reported Sunday.
Foreign students had visas terminated at Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Davis, and Irvine campuses, according to the schools. That included at least six in Berkeley, three in Santa Barbara, five in Irvine, and seven in Davis. It’s unclear how many of the students have actually left the country.
Campuses throughout the university system allowed thousands of students to participate in pro-Palestinian protests last year as Israel engaged in war with the Hamas terrorist group in Gaza. Many of the demonstrations included takeovers of public areas on campus, and several students were arrested during clashes with local police.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order in January to combat anti-Semitism on college campuses and threatened to revoke the visas of students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests last year.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 27 that the government had revoked 300 international student visas.
At UCLA, chapters of two pro-Palestinian student groups faced disciplinary action in February after taking their fight to the house of a University of California regent. The students were told to leave the country immediately, according to one report.
All visa applicants must prove they qualify for a visa to come to the United States, according to a State Department spokesperson.
“The United States has zero tolerance for noncitizens who violate U.S. laws,” the spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email on Monday. “Those who break the law, including students, may face visa refusal, visa revocation, and/or deportation.”
The numbers could climb as the State Department continues its review of visa holders, the spokesperson said.
“As the secretary indicated, the department revokes visas every day in order to secure America’s borders and keep our communities safe—and will continue to do so,” the spokesperson said. “Because the process is ongoing, the number of revocations is dynamic.”
The department generally doesn’t provide statistics on visa revocations, according to the spokesperson.
The University of California system announced Friday that officials were aware of the visa terminations.
Students at the University of California–Irvine protest against the Israel–Gaza conflict on May 2, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
“This is a fluid situation, and we continue to monitor and assess its implications for the UC community and the people affected,” UC President Michael Drake said in the statement. “The university will continue to follow all applicable state and federal laws.”
UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk said on Sunday in a campus-wide email that six of the campus’s students lost visas and six alumni participating in an optional training program were also revoked, according to the student newspaper The Daily Bruin.
Frenk said the termination notices said that the students had violated the terms of their visas.
“At this time, UCLA is not aware of any federal law enforcement activity on campus related to these terminations,” Frenk stated.
In San Diego, the six students whose visas were revoked were instructed to leave the country immediately, with no explicit timeline given, UCSD Public Relations Council Director Matt Nagel told the school’s newspaper on Monday.
A pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of California–San Diego, on May 1, 2024. Yang Jie/The Epoch Times
UC Davis Chancellor Gary May issued a statement on Saturday at the Northern California campus.
“At UC Davis, seven students and five recent graduates have had their F-1 visas terminated,” May said. “This number may change. Federal agents have not entered our campus, and they have not placed any member of our community in custody.”
The Davis campus was providing resources for the students affected, according to May.
The chancellor also said university police would not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and would not detain or arrest anyone for violating federal immigration law.
Jill McLaughlin
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Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.
