We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist, to tear up our university campuses," Rubio said.

We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist, to tear up our university campuses," Rubio said.

US revoked around 300 visas in crackdown on students — Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration has revoked the visas of "maybe more than 300" people allegedly tied to pro-Palestine university protests.

"We do it every day. Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas," Rubio said during an official visit to Guyana.

"At some point, I hope we've run out because we've gotten rid of them."

The spree of arrests and attempted deportations come as the Trump administration seeks to punish those who disagree with United States policies, primarily towards Israel and Palestine.

"We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist, to tear up our university campuses," Rubio said.

"If you lie to us and get a visa and then enter the United States, and with that visa, participate in that sort of activity, we're going to take away your visa."

The US government claims the First Amendment — the founding principle of the constitution which guarantees freedom of speech — does not apply to non-US citizens in deportation cases. The argument has been highly disputed by experts.