THOUSANDS of international students, including hundreds of Nigerians, face imminent deportation from the United States after the U.S. State Department revoked more than 6,000 student visas over alleged violations of immigration laws, criminal offenses, and overstays.
A report by the department, sighted by News Point Nigeria, confirmed that the mass revocation was carried out under the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigration and foreign students.
Although the U.S. government did not provide country-by-country figures, the report noted that hundreds of Nigerian students are among those affected, with many flagged for overstaying their visa terms, committing burglary, and, controversially, offering “support for terrorism.”
The phrase “support for terrorism” was not clarified in the report, but officials noted that some students had been investigated for allegedly engaging in protests or online activities deemed by U.S. authorities to be “anti-Semitic” or supportive of Palestine.
According to the State Department, of the 6,000 visas revoked, around 4,000 cases involved students breaking U.S. laws including assault, driving under the influence (DUI), and burglary.
Another 200–300 visas were revoked under Section 3B of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which defines terrorism-related activity broadly as “any act that endangers human life or violates U.S. law.”
Out of the 6,000 visas revoked, the report indicated that about 3,480 were held by African students, a significant portion of whom are Nigerians. This marks one of the largest mass visa cancellations targeting African nationals in recent years.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration suspended visa appointments for international students before resuming them in June with stricter requirements.
Applicants are now mandated to submit their social media accounts for background checks, as part of what the administration described as “enhanced vetting” to identify security threats.
The updated guidelines instruct consular officers to deny entry to individuals suspected of:
Advocating for or supporting foreign terrorist organizations.
Expressing hostility toward U.S. citizens, institutions, or culture.
Engaging in unlawful anti-Semitic harassment or violence.
Implications for Nigerian Students
An Egyptian education analyst, Dr Foda Imran told News Point Nigeria that the crackdown could have a chilling effect on African students seeking higher education opportunities in the U.S., where they represent one of the largest student populations.
With visa revocations already in motion, affected Nigerian students could face deportation proceedings in the coming weeks, unless successful appeals or waivers are secured.
As the Trump administration doubles down on its “America First” immigration policies, the future for many aspiring Nigerian scholars in the U.S. now hangs in the balance.