Overview

• At least 61 international students across 14 Ohio colleges, including 12 from Ohio State University, have had their visas revoked under a federal initiative launched in late March.
• The visa cancellations are tied to an AI-driven program that flags alleged minor infractions or political activism, sparking concerns over due process and retaliation for free speech.
• Ohio State University doctoral student Prasanna Oruganti successfully secured a temporary court order reinstating her visa, while other students, including Ahwar Sultan and Jiarong Ouyang, continue to pursue legal action.
• Some students, like Sultan, allege that their visa revocations were retaliatory, linked to their participation in pro-Palestinian protests, raising alarms about the targeting of political dissent.
• Ohio universities, including Ohio State and the University of Cincinnati, are providing legal resources and support, while advocacy groups warn of the broader implications for academic freedom and U.S. global educational standing.