Secretary of State Marco Rubio has estimated that he has signed over 300 letters revoking the visas of students, visitors, and others, aiming to expel them from the United States due to their foreign policy views or criminal activities. He has been signing these letters daily since taking office in late January, as he reported to reporters during a flight from Suriname to Miami.
Rubio clarified that the revoked visas include a mix of categories, not solely student visas. He stated that if visa holders engage in activities counter to U.S. national interests, their visas will be revoked. Each case is reviewed personally by Rubio before actions are taken by immigration agents. He emphasized that individuals charged with crimes while in the U.S. should automatically lose their visas and mentioned that he is also expelling permanent residents by revoking their green cards.
Rubio's standard for revocation is based on whether the information about the individual would have led to a visa denial if known beforehand. He did not disclose how cases are brought to his attention, citing ongoing efforts to identify more individuals for visa revocation.
As a senior aide to President Trump, Rubio has been involved in controversial deportation efforts across the U.S. In March, he finalized an agreement with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele to accept U.S. deportation flights carrying over 200 migrants, some of whom fled Venezuela's authoritarian regime and were reportedly denied due process during their deportation.
Rubio has directed the Homeland Security Department to detain students or recent graduates for deportation based on their opposition to U.S. foreign policy. He specifically mentioned revoking the visa of a Tufts University doctoral student, Rumeysa Ozturk, who co-authored an essay advocating for Palestinian rights. Following the revocation, Ozturk was reportedly seized by individuals believed to be federal agents.
Additionally, Rubio has revoked the permanent residency of two other students involved in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. Mahmoud Khalil, who is married to a U.S. citizen, was detained in New York, while Yunseo Chung, who has lived in the U.S. since childhood, is also facing deportation efforts. Both Khalil and Chung have filed lawsuits against Rubio and the administration regarding their visa and residency status.
Rubio has defended his actions, describing many individuals whose visas have been revoked as activists involved in disruptive protests. He expressed hope that the efforts would eventually lead to a reduction in such cases, stating, “At some point I hope we run out because we’ve gotten rid of all of them.”
Critics argue that the actions taken by Rubio and the Trump administration resemble those of authoritarian regimes that suppress free speech and assembly. When questioned about the implications of his rationale for deportation, Rubio maintained that every country has the right to deny visas as they see fit.