According to CNN data, over 8,000 of the revoked visas are student visas. About 50% of the revocations last year were related to offenses such as driving under the influence, theft, and assaults. The reasons for the remaining visa revocations were not specified.
This practice raises concerns in light of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech, analysts at CNN note. Among the foreign students whose visas were canceled are participants in protests against the war in Gaza, who were accused of anti-Semitism and supporting terrorism. In addition, in October, the State Department reported the revocation of visas for individuals who allegedly "celebrated" the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
