'Student visas are granted for educational purposes, not for engaging in social activism'; authorities explain decision to cancel foreign student's visa

WASHINGTON DC: The United States has emphasized that foreign students coming to the country for education must strictly follow visa regulations. while addressing the case of Turkish student Rumeysa Öztürk, whose visa was revoked, US State Secretary Marco Rubio stated that students must comply with visa conditions. He clarified that student visas are granted for educational purposes, not for engaging in social activism.

Rumeysa Öztürk, a PhD student at Tufts University, had her visa revoked and was set to be deported due to allegations of supporting Hamas. However, a federal court has temporarily halted her deportation. "Student visas are meant for studying and earning degrees, not for disruptive social activism in our universities. That is why her visa had to be revoked," Rubio added.

Several students, including those from India, were taken into custody in the US for participating in pro-Palestine protests. An Indian student, whose visa was revoked for taking part in such demonstrations, voluntarily returned to India. Ranjini Srinivasan, a research student at Columbia University, chose to leave the US after her visa was revoked. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Khalil, a former student, was arrested in the US for leading protests on the Columbia University campus.