Concerns are rising in Pakistan after news spread that several Pakistani students in the United States had their student visas suddenly cancelled. These visa cancellations are reportedly linked to peaceful protests on American university campuses against the ongoing violence in Gaza, where many Palestinians have been killed.
Recent reports say that over 400 international students, studying at well-known universities in the US, had their student visas revoked in the past few weeks. The US government did not give any official reason or file formal charges against these students. This unexpected action has shocked many students and families, especially because there was no warning.
Many of the students whose visas were cancelled are from Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan. These students were reportedly involved in campus demonstrations where they raised their voices in support of Palestinians and criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Some of the top universities in the US, such as Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, and the University of Michigan, are believed to have students who were affected by the visa cancellations.
According to news sources, a pro-Israel group called Betar USA played a major role in this situation. After Israel launched a major military attack on Gaza in October 2023, Betar USA reportedly began monitoring student protests across American universities. The attack in Gaza caused thousands of deaths and forced many Palestinians to flee their homes.
Betar USA, which identifies as a Zionist group, allegedly collected information about students and professors who were involved in pro-Palestinian activism. These “dossiers” were then sent to US federal authorities. Critics say this information may have led to the cancellation of student visas and even detention or deportation for some students.
Human rights activists and student groups have strongly criticized these actions. They believe that Muslim students are being unfairly targeted because of their religion and political views. Some have called this a form of racial profiling, where people are treated differently because of their background.
These critics also argue that punishing students for peaceful protest goes against the basic American value of freedom of speech. They say students should have the right to express their opinions, especially when it comes to humanitarian issues like the situation in Gaza.
So far, the US Department of Homeland Security and the US State Department have not released any official statements about the visa cancellations. They have also not explained what legal reasons were used to take such strict action against the students.
The silence from US authorities has only increased fears and confusion among international students and their families. Many are now worried that speaking out on political or human rights issues could lead to serious consequences, even if they are just peacefully protesting.
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