Latest news with #pro‑Palestinian
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
US visa can be revoked even after approval, warns embassy: 5 mistakes that can get F‑1 students deported
US Visa laws: 5 mistakes that can get F‑1 students deported The US Embassy in India has issued a stern advisory: Even after you've secured a visa, your stay is neither guaranteed nor untouchable. They confirmed that visa monitoring continues post‑approval —and rule‑breaking can lead to revocation and deportation. This warning comes amidst a crackdown on immigration and tighter scrutiny of student activities, including academic enrolment, social media use, and any run-ins with the law. Here are five key mistakes that can cost students their US visa. Skipping classes or leaving your course without notifying If you drop out, skip classes, or quit your programme without alerting your school, your F‑1 status can be terminated—which means your visa can be revoked and future US visas denied. Tip: Stay enrolled full‑time. Keep in close contact with your Designated School Official (DSO) if your plans change. Violating US laws—even 'minor' ones You might think a traffic fine or minor arrest isn't a big deal. Think again. In 2025, several Indian students were deported over misdemeanours such as driving without a licence or DUI incidents. Even a parking ticket may trigger SEVIS termination. Tip: Follow all local laws carefully. Remember that interactions with law enforcement—even over trivial matters—can jeopardise your visa. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Social media missteps—old accounts tracked You must list all social media usernames and handles from the last five years on the DS‑160 form. Omitting accounts increases the risk of rejection or future ineligibility. Worse, posting politically sensitive content—like pro‑Palestinian views—can trigger visa revocation under new 'catch and revoke' policies. Tip: Disclose every account. Make your profiles review-ready, and remove or archive any politically charged posts. Engaging in political activism or protests In early 2025, numerous student visas were revoked after peaceful campus protests—mainly about Gaza—under alleged terrorism/security grounds. Prominent cases also involved travel by masked immigration officials to arrest activists at havens like Columbia and Tufts. Tip: Avoid campus protests or public dissent. Stay aware of evolving rules about campus expression. Overstaying your permitted time Even slight overstays matter. Reports suggest more than 4,700 student visas were revoked in early 2025, with many associated with overstays or unlawful presence. A rise in revoked SEVIS records led to fear, court filings, and uncertainty among students. Tip: Track your I‑20 and SEVIS dates. File early for extensions and consult your DSO if your plans shift. The bigger picture Student visa approvals have plunged by about 27% between March and May 2025, with only 9,900 F‑1 visas issued to Indians compared to nearly 15,000 in 2023. US universities could lose up to US$1 billion in revenue due to these policy changes and declining enrolments. The trend reflects a larger 'privilege‑not‑right' doctrine under the Trump administration's second term—putting student travel and stay under continual scrutiny . TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Over 100 Journalists Sign Letter Accusing BBC of Acting as ‘PR for Israel'
Rabat – Over 100 BBC journalists have formally expressed deep concern about the Corporation's coverage of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza. The 111 journalists signed anonymously out of fear of consequences to their job. In a letter dated July 2, addressed to Director-General Tim Davie, they accuse the BBC of acting as 'PR for the Israeli government,' and suppressing critical reporting, including the decision not to publicly broadcast the BBC 'Gaza: Medics Under Fire.' The signatories say that this and other editorial choices were 'agenda‑driven' and 'crippled by fear of being perceived as critical of the Israeli government.' The letter, which was endorsed by hundreds more journalists from other outlets and celebrities such as Juliet Stevenson, Zawe Ashton, and Miriam Margolyes, says it does not necessarily demand a pro‑Palestinian stance. Instead, it simply urges impartial, transparent news reporting, citing significant omissions like BBC's failure to investigate UK arms sales to Israel. Conflicts of interest At the heart of the criticism is Sir Robbie Gibb, BBC board member and chair of the Editorial Standards Committee, whose ties to the Jewish Chronicle and long-standing Conservative Party affiliations raise significant concerns of partiality. The letter calls his role 'untenable,' arguing that his ideological influence has led to 'double standards' in how internal newsroom objections and external editorial choices are handled. The BBC has recently pulled two films on Gaza. 'Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone,' narrated by 14‑year‑old Abdullah Al‑Yazouri ( reportedly son of a Hamas official), sparked accusations of insufficient disclosure and prompted a tribunal from the UK government. 'Gaza: Doctors Under Attack' was also withdrawn over 'impartiality concerns', which critics argue was due to political pressure rather than editorial flaw. Media commentators argue these decisions reflect a broader reluctance to shed light on Palestinian suffering, and an double-standard sensitivity to accusations of bias when covering Israel. Accusations of anti‑Palestinian racism The internal letter asserts that the BBC's coverage is defined by 'anti‑Palestinian racism,' citing disproportionate use of emotional language and humanizing imagery for Israeli victims versus minimal empathy or acknowledgement for Palestinians. Signatories argue this echoes past data-driven studies showing stark disparities in coverage. The wave of internal dissent follows high‑profile exits in the global media giant, such as BBC North Africa correspondent Bassam Bounenni, who resigned in October 2023 over, stating he could no longer reconcile his conscience with the BBC's framing of the war on Gaza. The BBC's critics also point to incidents such as presenter Lucy Hockings minimizing Palestinian civilian deaths, which generated widespread public backlash. She interrupted a Palestinian as he was speaking about Israeli Occupation Forces' aggression against civilians before she sarcastically said, while smiling: 'And civilians have been dying.' The BBC is not alone. In October 2023, several Tunisian journalists resigned from French media outlets in protest at how coverage of Gaza downplayed civilian suffering. These include Achouad Hannachi and Amani Oueslati from Canal+ who resigned over the French outlet's biased coverage of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. 'Since October 7, my Tunisian colleague and friend, Amani Oueslati, and I have decided to resign from Canal+. We have not set foot in it since then! Our professionalism, our upbringing, and our unwavering support for the Palestinian cause do not allow for compromise! #FreePalestine,' Hannachi said. In a vague response to the letter, the BBC said it remains committed to impartiality and is reviewing its coverage guidelines. The media giant added that its management insists all pulled content adhered to editorial policy and will resubmit one documentary (the Gaza medics film) through internal oversight. 'We have ongoing discussions about coverage and listen to feedback from staff and we think these conversations are best had internally,' a BBC spokesperson said. Although many activists, journalists, and everyday media consumers who are fighting for the Palestininan cause have been long-aware of stark biases within mainstream media on Gaza genocide coverage, this scandal marks a notable turn. As Israel's relentless genocide rages on in the enclave, more global media conglomarete's are realizing that they cannot get away with turning a blind eye to the livestreamed carnage, not matter the internal ties to Israel. Tags: BBCGazagenocideIsraelLetterwar
