In a landmark move under the Biden-to-Trump policy shift, the U.S. State Department has revoked the visa of a foreign university student who participated in pro-Hamas demonstrations on an American college campus. This marks the first publicly confirmed visa cancellation in a sweeping effort to crack down on foreign nationals engaging in disruptive or extremist activities under the “Catch and Revoke” program.
The initiative, spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and aligned with President Donald Trump’s call to remove visa holders involved in anti-Israel demonstrations, leverages artificial intelligence to scan social media and public records for indications of support for Hamas or other designated terror organizations.
First Revocation Under New Crackdown
The State Department confirmed the visa cancellation in a statement to Fox News but did not disclose the student’s name or university, citing legal constraints.
“Yesterday evening, we revoked the first visa of an alien who was previously cited for criminal behavior in connection with Hamas-supporting disruptions,” a State Department spokesperson said. “This individual was a university student. ICE will proceed with removing this person from the country.”
The revocation aligns with a series of executive orders issued by Trump targeting individuals who “espouse hateful ideology” or “pose a national security risk.”
AI-Powered Surveillance and Policy Shift
The visa revocation is part of a broader strategy to monitor, investigate, and potentially remove foreign nationals engaging in activities deemed supportive of terrorist organizations. The State Department, in cooperation with the Department of Justice and Homeland Security, has ramped up efforts to review thousands of student visa holders using AI-driven analysis of social media, criminal records, and campus protest reports.
Rubio defended the approach, stating that the U.S. government has both the legal authority and moral obligation to prevent foreign nationals from engaging in activities that threaten national security.
“We see people marching on our campuses, openly calling for Intifada and glorifying Hamas’ actions,” Rubio said in a previous statement. “They are guests in our country, and if they support terrorist groups, they should not be here.”
A Chilling Effect on Campus Protests
The move has already caused ripples across university campuses, where some international students are reportedly reconsidering participation in protests out of fear of visa repercussions. Critics argue that the policy could infringe on free speech rights, while supporters say it ensures that individuals with ties to violent ideologies are not allowed to remain in the U.S.
Abed Ayoub, head of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, condemned the use of AI in policing student speech, warning that the approach resembles Cold War-era surveillance programs.
“This is a modernized version of Operation Boulder, where the government surveilled and harassed Arab students in the ’70s. With AI, it’s even worse—they’re using flawed technology to police speech and target individuals arbitrarily,” Ayoub said.
The Big Picture: A Hardline Stance on National Security
The crackdown is a direct response to widespread anti-Israel demonstrations that intensified following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Trump and other Republican leaders have framed the protests as an extension of extremist ideology, while progressive groups argue that equating criticism of Israel with support for Hamas is an overreach.
With Trump’s executive orders in effect and AI-driven monitoring expanding, more visa revocations are likely on the horizon. For foreign students engaging in activism, the message is clear: participation in demonstrations that align with designated terrorist organizations could lead to removal from the U.S.
What’s Next?
As federal agencies continue scanning social media and reviewing student visas, legal challenges to the initiative are expected. Advocacy groups are already preparing lawsuits, arguing that the program oversteps First Amendment protections. However, with strong political backing and public sentiment largely favoring strict national security measures, the Biden-era leniency on such issues appears to be over.
For now, one thing is certain: under Trump’s leadership, student visa holders are on notice—support for Hamas or related groups will not be tolerated on U.S. soil.