Will More Indian Students Be Deported from US Amid Anti Semitism and Pro Palestine Protests

Trump’s Crackdown Amid Political Protests on International Students: Several international students are facing arrest and deportation charges due to their participation in pro-Palestinian or anti-Semitic protests in campuses across US universities. Authorities are revoking student visas of international students in US who are participating in pro-Palestine protests. According to a US immigration judge, the country can rightfully deport pro-Palestinian student protesters even if they are legally residing in the country with all the necessary documents. It has sparked uncertainty among international students, particularly from India, majority of whom are on F1-Visa, who are participating in such protests over concerns about visa cancellations and deportations.

This Story also Contains

1. Current Situation On Visa Revocation of International Students in USA
2. US Revokes Visas of Four Columbia International Students
3. Reasons for Revoking Student Visas in US
4. US Universities That Have Reported International Student Visa Cancellations
5. Conclusion: Will More Indian Students be Deported from US?

Recent visa revocations created panic for foreign students in US, as hundreds fear deportation. In March 2025, the US revoked visas of four Columbia University students due to concerns related to national security and potential involvement in pro-Palestinian activism. Let us now delve further into whether or not more Indian students can get deported from the US amid the current political situation in the country.

Current Situation On Visa Revocation of International Students in USA

At the start, only a few of the international students in US contacted immigration attorneys after discovering their legal status had been terminated without much notice. However, many Indian students have reached out to immigration consultants and attorneys because of the uncertainty of their student visa status with the recent US revocations. They have this fear that they will get deported from US amid the ongoing Anti Semitism and pro-Palestine protests.

In the previous few weeks of March, more than 790 students at over 120 American colleges and universities got their visas revoked, i.e terminated, according to the reports from Associated Press' review of university statements and correspondence with school officials.

More than half of the international students in US are from India and China. There are over 3.3 million Indian students in US according to the current data. Reports show that Indian students, who are a significant portion of the international student population in the US are facing high scrutiny even for minor infractions, such as social media activity or participation in political rallies. It could easily lead to their study visa revocations and cancellations in US. This is why there might be a chance that more Indian students get deported from USA in the coming weeks.

US Revokes Visas of Four Columbia International Students

Four international students, including Mahmoud Khalid, Ranjani Srinivasan, Yunseo Chung, and Rumeysa Ozturk, have had their visas revoked with actions allegedly influenced by a minor incident, which even includes traffic violations. These targeted students got to know about their revoked visa status during a review of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database.

While the four Columbia-affiliated students were targeted, only Srinivasan has left the US by choosing the CBP home app to self-deport herself on March 14 after her visa was cancelled on March 5, 2025. Here is the information of 4 international students who got their US visa revoked:

• Mahmoud Khalid: Student at the School of International and Public Affairs

• Ranjani Srinivasan: PhD candidate

• Yunseo Chung: Undergraduate student

• Rumeysa Ozturk: Teacher College alumna at Columbia University and a current Tufts University doctoral student

Reasons for Revoking Student Visas in US

• Social Media Posts
• Accidental Shoplifting
• Traffic Violations
• Drunk Driving
• Misdemeanor

Apart from the antisemitism and pro-Palestinian protests, there are other academic risks, employment risks, and financial and security risks due to which a student visa can be revoked. Read here in detail Why US student visa can be revoked?

US Universities That Have Reported International Student Visa Cancellations

The US Department of Homeland Security has initiated the revocation of student visas for many international students from the end week of March 2025. Currently, international students from many US universities have faced deportation charges that lead to visa cancellations due to their alleged involvement in pro-Palestinian activism. In the table given below, let us now check the number of international students impacted in US universities till now.

List of US Universities That Report International Student Visa Cancellations

Conclusion: Will More Indian Students be Deported from US?

With increased scrutiny for international students in the US, many of them may return back to their home countries through deportation. Indian students are a significant portion of international students in US. Students. Hence, Trump’s crackdown on campus activism and social media interactions of university students has led to visa revocations for many Indian students, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety. This could further lead to their potential deportation. Visa revocations in US have become a panic for Indian students due to the fear of deportation.

International students should comply with the strict conditions implied under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to maintain their visa status. Currently, DHS (Department of Homeland Security), ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and other authorities are keeping a close watch on students participating in pro-Palestinian protests. The US authorities are investigating the antisemitism that has gripped the US universities' campuses since October. So, students should stay alert and follow the guidelines of their university.

Also Read:

• Trump's Deportation Forces Indian Students in US To Quit Part Time Jobs

• Why is Trump Threatening Harvard?