Key takeaways:

• Marco Rubio has canceled over 300 student visas as part of efforts against anti-Israel activism in U.S. universities.
• High-profile cases include Mahmoud Khalil from Columbia University and Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts University.
• Rubio stated that participation in protests against Israel could lead to visa revocation.
• Critics, including Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, have condemned these actions as violations of rights.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday that his administration has canceled the visas of over 300 “lunatics” involved in anti-Israel activism on American university campuses. Speaking to reporters in Guyana, he emphasized that this figure might soon exceed 300, noting, “We do it every day. Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” as reported by SCMP.

This crackdown, initiated since President Donald Trump's return to office, targets students at the forefront of protests related to the ongoing Gaza conflict. The case of Mahmoud Khalil, who led demonstrations at Columbia University, received significant attention after he was arrested and faced deportation despite being a permanent resident in the U.S.

Additionally, scrutiny has fallen on Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University who was arrested after advocating for acknowledgment of “genocide” against Palestinians in an opinion piece. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley criticized the Trump administration's actions as “horrifying violations” of due process, illustrating mounting concerns over civil liberties, especially in the context of free speech rights among non-U.S. citizens.

Rubio defends the revocations, claiming that if students misrepresent their intentions when applying for visas—stating they wish to study while actually intending to participate in protests—this justifies visa cancellations. He stated, “If you lie to us and get a visa and then enter the United States, and with that visa, participate in that sort of activity, we’re going to take away your visa,” confirming ongoing vigilance against such actions, including against "gang members" as well.

Ozturk's legal representatives argue that her detention was unlawful, claiming she has not committed any offenses. In response to Rubio’s comments, a spokesperson expressed concern that targeting individuals for their views is a troubling precedent, emphasizing that people should not be detained over supporting human rights.

The ongoing situation raises important questions about the balance between national security, free speech, and the rights of students participating in activism. For more details, visit India Times and HuffPost.