In a sweeping immigration move, the Trump administration has revoked the visa or immigration status of more than 1,000 international students and recent graduates across over 130 US educational institutions. The revocations, which have affected universities in 40 states, appear to be part of a wider crackdown, with limited or no information provided to the affected students or their universities.
According to a CNN investigation based on statements from schools and university spokespeople, colleges and universities across the country have confirmed the termination of student records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), with many administrators left in the dark about the reasons. The move has raised legal and humanitarian concerns, especially as students and schools report a lack of transparency from federal authorities.
Universities report mysterious terminations
At Middle Tennessee State University, six students from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East had their visas revoked, with no clear explanation from authorities. Jimmy Hart, a spokesperson for the university, told CNN that “the university does not know the specific reason(s) for the visa status changes, only that they were changed within the federal database that monitors them.”
The University of Oregon also reported that the US Department of Homeland Security had revoked the visa status of four international students, citing unspecified criminal charges. “The university was not informed in advance and has not been given details about the nature of the criminal charges,” said university spokesperson Eric Howald, as reported by CNN.
Impact spreads to major US institutions
Even prestigious universities have not been spared. The University of California, Los Angeles told CNN that 12 of its students or recent graduates were impacted. In a statement, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk said that the terminations cited violations of visa terms, though no further details were provided.
While federal officials have yet to specify reasons for many of the revocations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently suggested that student activism may be a factor. As quoted by CNN, Rubio stated, “They’re here to go to class. They’re not here to lead activist movements that are disruptive and undermine our universities.”
Legal battle begins
A federal lawsuit has been filed at the US District Court of Northern Georgia in Atlanta, representing 133 international students from countries including India, China, Colombia, Mexico, and Japan. According to CNN, the lawsuit alleges that ICE “abruptly and unlawfully terminated the students’ legal status,” placing them at risk of arrest and deportation. The White House and DHS have not yet responded to CNN’s request for comment.
