Rubio claims 300 visas revoked due to pro-Palestine activism
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that more than 300 visas have been revoked due to pro-Palestine campus activism, Middle East Eye reported on March 27th.
This initiative, termed “Catch and Revoke,” aims to expel foreign students allegedly involved in activities deemed supportive of Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations, Axios reported.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has utilized artificial intelligence tools to monitor social media accounts of visa holders. Critics argue that this approach infringes on free speech and unfairly targets immigrants expressing political views.
A notable case is that of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University. Federal officers in Massachusetts detained Ozturk and urged Tufts to sever ties with Israel. The DHS alleges she supported Hamas, although no evidence has been provided. Her arrest has sparked protests and raised concerns about the suppression of academic freedom and political expression.
Civil rights advocates have voiced alarm over these actions, viewing them as an assault on free speech and personal liberties. The use of AI to scrutinise personal beliefs and associations is particularly concerning, with fears that it sets a dangerous precedent for political expression, Axios reported.
Rubio suggested the visa cancellations targeted foreign students allegedly involved in protests supporting Palestine. The move has sparked backlash from civil rights advocates, who argue it threatens free speech and unfairly targets immigrants.
Middle East Eye, Axios
