US visa revocation sparks outrage, leaves international students in crisis

In a sweeping move that has jolted the academic world, the White House has revoked visas for international students just days before the start of the new academic year — throwing thousands of young scholars into uncertainty and threatening to derail their plans to study in the United States.

The decision comes amid escalating tensions on campuses nationwide. Authorities have slashed university research funding and detained several international students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests. In one of the most high-profile clashes, the administration barred Harvard University from enrolling international students — a move that prompted the Ivy League giant to accuse the White House of unconstitutional retaliation for defying political pressure.

The potential fallout is massive. More than one million foreign students studied in the US last year, contributing nearly $43.8 billion to the economy, according to NAFSA. They account for roughly six per cent of the total student population — a vital presence that sustains both academic institutions and the broader economy.

Now, with the academic year about to begin, the abrupt policy reversal has left universities scrambling for clarity and students fearing they may not reach campus in time. Education leaders warn that the move risks inflicting long-term damage on America’s standing as a global destination for higher learning.