Washington, D.C. — In response to the U.S. State Department’s revocation of more than 6,000 student visas in 2025 for purported overstays and law violations—including accusations of assault, DUI, burglary, and even support for terrorism—Attorney Asukwo Mendie Archibong has issued a forceful condemnation of the blanket policy. Describing it as a sweeping and indiscriminate action that threatens academic freedom and the nation’s international reputation, Archibong warns that such wholesale revocations could deter thousands of foreign students from pursuing education in the United States .
Attorney Archibong emphasizes that while it is imperative to uphold U.S. laws and maintain national security, this must be balanced with fairness and due process. The attorney strongly rejects the notion of punishing entire body of students based on limited or unverified accusations, noting that the State Department has not always clarified whether the revoked visas were tied to formal convictions, charges, or mere allegations .
Nonetheless, Attorney Archibong is clear in voicing support for visa revocations when serious criminal conduct has been legally established. “If a foreign student is convicted of a crime in this country—be it assault, driving under the influence, burglary, or material support for terrorism—then revoking that individual’s visa is a lawful and justified measure,” Archibong states. However, the attorney underscores that each case must be adjudicated on its own merits; blanket, unreviewed cancellations send a chilling message to innocent students and undermine the Rule of Law.
Moreover, Attorney Archibong highlights the broader implications of such policies. Universities, he argues, rely on international students—who form just a fraction of the student population yet contribute significantly to research, tuition, and cultural diversity . The indiscriminate revocation of student visas not only casts a “climate of fear,” particularly among vocal or politically engaged students , but also risks significant declines in enrollment, potentially jeopardizing both academic institutions and U.S. global leadership in higher education.
Attorney Archibong urged the Trump administration to pivot from blanket punitive measures toward transparent, individual assessments that respect due process. He proposes establishing clear guidelines—whereby only students with prosecutable criminal convictions face visa revocation—and ensuring procedural protections and timely notification for those affected. Such reforms, he argues, would better balance public safety with the values of fairness, openness, and the pursuit of knowledge that have long defined American academia.
