A wave of uncertainty is sweeping across U.S. college campuses, as over 1,000 international students have experienced abrupt visa revocations or terminations, often with little to no notice or explanation. An investigation by the Associated Press has uncovered that at least 1,024 students from 160 colleges have been impacted. The findings, based on university statements, legal filings, and official communications, reveal a dramatic shift in how U.S. immigration authorities are handling student visa statuses.
International students entering the U.S. typically do so on an F-1 student visa, which requires proof of financial support and enrollment in an accredited institution. Once in the country, these students must maintain academic standing and are generally prohibited from working off-campus, except through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows temporary employment after graduation. Their immigration status is monitored through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Typically, any changes in visa status, such as graduation or withdrawal, are handled by universities through routine updates in SEVIS.
However, in a significant departure from the usual process, many universities have recently discovered that SEVIS terminations were being carried out directly by federal agencies, bypassing the institutions altogether. Most of the students affected were not informed of their visa terminations until they attempted to travel or renew documents, only to find that they were at risk of deportation. In many cases, no explanation for the terminations was provided.
The resulting turmoil has led to legal challenges, with several affected students successfully obtaining temporary restraining orders in states like Montana, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire. Immigration attorneys argue that the government’s actions have thrown compliant students into disarray, leaving them with no clear recourse. University officials have expressed concern about the lack of communication, with some speculating that the terminations could be politically motivated—particularly amidst ongoing tensions between the federal government and institutions such as Harvard University.
The Biden administration has previously issued threats targeting Harvard, including the possibility of revoking the university’s ability to host international students. If implemented, this would be an unprecedented move.
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