State Department warns visa students of deportation after UC Berkeley Kirk anniversary celebration
On Sept. 10, 2026, students at the University of California, Berkeley held an event to mark the one‑year anniversary of the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a gathering that quickly turned into chants, cheers and boos directed at the late activist.
The incident prompted State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott to issue a statement warning that visa‑holding students who “unlawfully incite violence” could be subject to deportation. Pigott said, “people in the United States on visas are guests in this country, and we will not tolerate people here on visas who break our laws, support terrorism, or unlawfully incite violence.” He added that the policy reflects “essential components of our national security” and is now in effect under the Trump administration.
The event began with members of Turning Point USA, the campus chapter founded by Kirk, assembling a large portrait of him and posters promoting “freedom and American patriotism.” John Paul Leon, president of the UC‑Berkeley TPUSA chapter, warned attendees that supporting “literal political violence and action against this man” would be “an act of moral depravity.” Hours later, a broader crowd gathered, singing, cheering and booing the memorial, a scene described by the Daily Californian as the “Kirkversary.”
Following Pigott’s warning, the State Department reportedly identified several international students who participated in the celebration. Among those highlighted in online posts was Nicholas Vail, who appeared at the center of a photograph shared by a self‑styled “Department Of Deportations” account. The students named are now facing possible removal proceedings, though no formal charges have been filed.
Campus officials have not publicly commented on the pending cases, but the incident underscores a growing trend of heightened federal oversight of political activity on university grounds. Critics argue that the warning could chill free expression, particularly for non‑citizen students who already navigate complex visa requirements.
Legal scholars note that the State Department’s stance rests on existing immigration statutes that allow revocation of student visas for conduct deemed a threat to public safety. The agency’s current focus on the Berkeley incident suggests that future campus events involving controversial political speech may attract similar scrutiny.
University administrators say they are cooperating with federal authorities while reviewing the university’s own policies on campus demonstrations. The next steps will involve individual assessments of the students’ visa status, potential hearings, and, if warranted, removal orders.
