International students in San Francisco are living on the edge as the Trump administration continues its relentless assault on academic freedom. A recent wave of visa revocations has sent shockwaves through local universities, targeting students and recent graduates with little to no explanation.

The Invisible Threat

At San Francisco State University, five students have already fallen victim to these arbitrary visa terminations. While the university claims no knowledge of specific immigration enforcement actions, the chilling effect is palpable. Students are left in a state of perpetual anxiety, wondering who might be next.

Resistance is Not Futile

Student activists like Max Flynt from the General Union of Palestine Students are fighting back. “We understand that the Trump administration is trying to intimidate pro-Palestine protestors, but they’re using sweeping measures against students,” Flynt declared. Campus rallies and demonstrations have erupted, demanding universities take a stronger stance against these attacks on academic freedom.

Solidarity in Uncertainty

Faculty members are also mobilizing, creating support networks and legal resources for vulnerable international students. They’re developing contingency plans for travel, fundraising, and ensuring students can complete their degrees despite immigration challenges. As one anonymous professor noted, “Faculty have been really loud and clear about what they want, and they’re getting louder”.

The message is clear: these attacks on international students are not just about immigration, they’re about silencing diverse voices and perspectives in higher education.