Fact Check: "Thousands of foreign students had their U.S. study permissions revoked this spring."
What We Know
In the spring of 2025, over 4,700 international students had their permissions to study in the United States revoked with little notice or explanation. This action was part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on immigration policies affecting foreign nationals. A federal judge in California issued an injunction to prevent the government from terminating the legal status of these students while a court case was pending, highlighting the chaotic nature of the revocations and their impact on students' lives (AP News).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that these revocations were based on a review of student visa holders against an FBI database, which included individuals who had been arrested or suspected of crimes, regardless of the outcomes of those cases (Washington Post). This led to significant anxiety among international students, with many reconsidering their plans to study in the U.S. due to fears of deportation and the lack of due process in the revocation of their visas (WLBT).
Analysis
The claim that "thousands of foreign students had their U.S. study permissions revoked this spring" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press reported that more than 4,700 students faced abrupt cancellations of their study permissions, which aligns with the information provided by the Washington Post and WLBT (AP News, Washington Post, WLBT).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of reporting on immigration and education issues. The Associated Press is particularly noted for its rigorous fact-checking and journalistic standards. The information provided is corroborated by a federal judge's ruling, which criticized the government's handling of the situation and emphasized the chaotic impact on students (AP News).
However, it is important to note that the context surrounding these revocations includes broader immigration policy changes under the Trump administration, which has faced criticism for its approach to foreign students and immigrants. This context adds a layer of complexity to the situation but does not detract from the factual accuracy of the claim regarding the number of students affected.
Conclusion
The claim that "thousands of foreign students had their U.S. study permissions revoked this spring" is True. The evidence from reliable news sources confirms that over 4,700 international students had their study permissions canceled without adequate notice or explanation, leading to significant distress and uncertainty among the affected individuals.
