International students at several major US colleges and universities are facing deportation after their study visas were revoked. The affected institutions include Stanford University, the University of California, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Affected Universities and Number of Students
- Stanford University: Six students and recent graduates had their visas revoked, according to a university statement. The institution learned of the revocations during a routine check of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database.
- University of California, Davis: Seven students and five recent graduates had their F-1 visas terminated, Chancellor Gary S. May announced. The university was informed through its Services for International Students and Scholars unit.
- University of Massachusetts Amherst: Five international students had their visas revoked and student statuses terminated, Chancellor Javier Reyes reported.
The reasons for the visa revocations are unclear, but the revocations come amid the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten immigration policies and boost deportations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced last month that the State Department had revoked 300 or more student visas.
Once a student visa is revoked, the student’s legal status to remain in the United States is canceled, putting them at risk of deportation. In the past, students’ legal statuses were not immediately canceled due to a revoked visa. However, under the new administration, student statuses are being revoked within hours of the visa’s revocation.
University Responses
- Stanford University: Notified the affected students and offered external legal assistance. The university confirmed it was not aware of any presence of immigration authorities on campus when the revocation news came to light.
- University of California, Davis: Chancellor May assured that federal agents had not entered the campus or placed any community members in custody. The university emphasized that enforcement of federal immigration laws rests with the federal government, not with campus police.
- University of Massachusetts Amherst: Chancellor Reyes highlighted the incident, but no further statement was provided.
Other Affected Institutions
Similar incidents have been reported at other universities, including:
- Minnesota State University in Mankato: Five international students had their visas revoked for unclear reasons.
- Arizona State University
- Cornell University
- North Carolina State University
- University of Oregon
- University of Texas
- University of Colorado
The crackdown on international students has raised concerns about the impact on higher education and the economy. Many universities rely on international students for revenue and to promote diversity on campus. The revocations have sparked fears about the potential consequences for students and the academic community.
