Indian, Bangladeshi Students Among Thousands with US Visas Revoked

Indian, Bangladeshi Students Among Thousands with US Visas Revoked In a sweeping immigration crackdown, the United States has revoked the visas of over 1,000 international students, including many from India and Bangladesh, sparking fear and legal challenges across U.S. campuses.​ AP News Mass Visa Revocations Without Warning Since late March 2025, more than 1,000 students from 160 institutions have had their visas abruptly canceled or their legal status terminated, often without prior notice or explanation. Many were informed via university emails, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. While U.S. authorities have cited national security concerns, critics argue that students are being targeted for minor infractions or political activism .​ Indian and Bangladeshi Students Affected A significant number of affected students hail from South Asia. Notably, Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia University, had her visa revoked for alleged support of Hamas and has since left the U.S. voluntarily . Similarly, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, was detained over alleged anti-Semitic posts and connections to Hamas . While specific cases involving Bangladeshi students have not been detailed, the broad scope of the revocations suggests that students from Bangladesh are among those affected.​

Legal Pushback and Campus Response The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of over 1,100 students, arguing that the Department of Homeland Security failed to provide legally required notifications. Federal judges in several states have issued temporary restraining orders to halt deportations and restore students' statuses . Universities, including Indiana University, have expressed concern over the sudden policy shifts and are offering support to affected students .​ Political Context and Free Speech Concerns The visa revocations coincide with an executive order by President Donald Trump aimed at curbing perceived antisemitism and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza. This has led to increased scrutiny of international students involved in pro-Palestinian activism, raising concerns about free speech and due process on campuses .​ As legal battles continue, the situation remains tense for international students, particularly those from India and Bangladesh, who now face uncertainty regarding their academic futures and legal status in the U.S.​ US Visa Revocations Impact International Students