Hundreds of international students have the United States Department of State ordering them to “self-deport” for their alleged participation in “campus activism”, The Times of India reported on Saturday.

They were ordered to leave the country not just for allegedly participating in protests on American university campuses, but also for allegedly sharing or liking related social media posts, the newspaper reported.

Indian students may also be among those who received the email, The Times of India reported, adding that immigration attorneys had confirmed the development.

The state department has not commented on the matter so far.

The action was taken based on a review of social media being carried out by the state department, including officials at US diplomatic missions, according to the newspaper. Even new student visa applications will be covered under this review, with applicants being denied a permit to study in the US based on the scrutiny.

The US state department’s email cited by The Times of India did not provide details about why the action was taken.

The emails told students that “additional information became available after your visa was issued” and therefore, the study permit was being revoked.

The visas were reportedly revoked amid increased scrutiny of foreign students by the Donald Trump administration following pro-Palestine protests on college campuses in the US....