The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is cautioning Irish students heading to the US on J1 visas this year as hundreds of student visas are being revoked in the US.
USI is the national representative body for the more than 360,000 affiliated students in third-level education on the island of Ireland.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 15, the USI said it "strongly condemns any attempt to restrict the rights of Irish students on J1 visas to engage in activism, including support for the Middle East.
"The J1 visa is a cultural exchange programme that allows students to work, travel, and engage in global conversations.
"Any actions that threaten students’ ability to freely express their views are deeply concerning and undermine the principles of free speech and democratic engagement."
USI's statement continued: "At the same time, we urge students to be cautious and informed about the potential risks involved in activism while on a J1 visa.
"While activism is a vital part of student life and a right that should be protected, it is important that students fully understand the possible consequences for their visa status, including the risk of deportation, and take steps to safeguard their participation in such activities."
USI went on to call on both the US and Irish authorities "to provide clarity on these issues, ensuring that students are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities while participating in the J1 programme."
USI added that it is "committed to supporting students in navigating these challenges, and we will continue to advocate for their safety, rights, and freedom of expression."
In Fiscal Year 2023, there were 6,904 J1 visas issued to people in Ireland.
Student visas being revoked in the US
The USI's statement comes the same day the Associated Press found that at least 600 students at more than 90 colleges and universities in the US have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated in recent weeks.
Speaking to US President Donald Trump during a Cabinet Meeting on April 10, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: "It's under your leadership - it's actually under your executive order - if you come to this country as a student, we expect you to go to class and study and to get a degree.
"If you come here to like vandalize a library, take over a campus, do all kinds of crazy things, you know, we're going to get rid of these people. We're going to continue to do it.
"When we identify lunatics like these, we take away their student visa.
"No one's entitled to a student visa. The press covers student visas like they're some sort of birthright. No."
While people may not be "entitled" to student visas, anyone in the US, regardless of status, is generally protected by the First Amendment - freedom of speech.
However, as Veronica Garcia, staff attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, told the Los Angeles Times last month, there is a risk of “being charged with something that could put your status in danger,” such as a vandalism misdemeanor or resisting arrest.
The Associated Press further reported on Tuesday: "Visas can be canceled for a number of reasons, but colleges say some students are being singled out over infractions as minor as traffic violations, including some long in the past.
"In some cases, students say it’s unclear why they were targeted."
"Keep everything in perspective"
The PA reported on Tuesday that Taoiseach Micheal Martin responded to the USI's statement saying: “I think we need to keep everything in perspective.
“Most people who go on their J1 are not that focused on activism, to be fair.
“I mean, most are out there to work, to get experience, to enjoy the United States, and that’s the perspective we need to keep on this.
“Obviously, in any country, you’re going to need to understand what’s going on within the country at any given time and adapt accordingly.”
Ireland's travel advice for J1 students
Also responding on Tuesday was Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris, who said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not changed its travel advice in relation to the US, but "of course, we keep all of these things under constant review."
As of Tuesday afternoon, the DFA has a webpage with travel advice for J1 students that encourages J1 students in the US to "know local laws," noting that "As an Irish citizen in the United States, you are bound by US law."
According to RTÉ News, Harris further said on Tuesday that Ireland and the US have a "long and enduring relationship" with people of both countries "welcome" in the other.
He continued: "Of course, it's important when you go to any jurisdiction to consider the local situation, the local laws, to consider if what's acceptable in Ireland is acceptable in the country that you're visiting."
Harris went on to point to Ireland's "very large diplomatic footprint" in the US, and encouraged people "to make yourself aware of the presence of our consulate service in advance of traveling to the US."
He added: "But, look, J1s are a great time for people, they're a great time for young people.
"And I hope our many young people who travel on J1s this year have a really good summer, a safe summer, and familiarize themselves with the local situation."
Palestine protests in Ireland v in America
When it was put to him that a Palestinian march would probably be acceptable in Ireland but probably not acceptable in the US, Harris replied: "A Palestine march is of course acceptable here. The people of Ireland feel very strongly in relation to Palestine, as do I.
"We had a meeting yesterday in Luxembourg with the Palestinian Prime Minister and provided €1.6 billion of European funding to help the Palestinian Authority.
"Protest, I think, is a really important part of any democracy. Protest, indeed, has always been an important part of US society, as well."
Harris reiterated his advice for students traveling to the US, or anywhere this summer, to enjoy it and be safe, while also familiarizing themselves with the local environment and being aware of the local Irish consular or ambassadorial presence.