Catch and Revoke: New US Visa rule puts these visa holders on edge

In a significant shift in US immigration policy, the Trump administration has introduced the "Catch and Revoke" directive, empowering authorities to revoke visas of foreign nationals—including students, workers, and visitors—for even minor legal infractions. Announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 30, 2025, this policy marks a stringent approach to immigration enforcement.

Regardless of the seriousness of the legal infraction, the directive permits visa revocation. The policy's expansive wording has raised questions regarding its applicability to small transgressions, even as it prioritizes major crimes like assault and domestic abuse.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council highlighted instances where student visas were revoked for minor offenses such as speeding tickets.

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Targeting political expressionThe policy also focuses on foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian campus protests or those allegedly supporting Hamas.

Citing the Immigration and Nationality Act, the administration asserts that student visa holders endorsing terrorist groups are inadmissible. This move has raised concerns about potential infringements on free speech and academic freedom.


Institutional and legal pushbackThe policy has prompted legal challenges and opposition from educational institutions.

Several visa revocations have been reversed in court, and civil liberties groups argue that the directive may violate due process rights.

Additionally, 65 US universities, including Harvard and MIT, have opposed related visa policy changes, emphasizing the detrimental impact on international students and academic communities.

The academic and economic environment of the United States is greatly influenced by international students. The National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA) estimates that during the 2017–2018 academic year, they made $39 billion in economic contributions to the United States.

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The new policy threatens to deter prospective international students, potentially impacting university revenues and the diversity of academic discourse.

A strict approach to immigration enforcement, the "Catch and Revoke" policy has significant ramifications for both academic institutions and international students.

As legal challenges unfold and institutions voice their concerns, the policy's long-term impact on the U.S.'s position as a global leader in higher education remains to be seen.