While the U.S. Embassy has not yet confirmed the identity of the young men or their status, fellow students have identified them as Luke Gates of Bloomington, Ind., Derrik Sweeney of Northridge, Calif., and Greg Porter of Pennsylvania.
The three were reportedly arrested just outside the university on Monday night by Egyptian authorities.
Violent protests have escalated since Saturday in Tahrir square – the site of the protests that led to the ouster of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek. Protesters are demanding that the government be run by civilians instead of the military committee currently in-place.
Images and video of the three boys have been shown on Egyptian and American television throughout Tuesday morning.