Introduction to the Issue
Confusion and concern ratcheted up at California colleges over the weekend as campus officials indicated they were caught unaware by the Trump administration’s cancellation of the visas of dozens of international students.
Initial Reports and University Responses
On Sunday, UCLA confirmed that federal authorities last week revoked the visas of 12 community members: six current students and six recent graduates. In a campus message, Chancellor Julio Frenk implied the government had not notified UCLA ahead of time. The issues were found during a “routine audit” of an immigrant student database connected to the Department of Homeland Security, he said. The government had shifted students’ status and canceled their visas from the State Department.
Reasons for Visa Cancellations
“The termination notices indicate that all terminations were due to violations of the terms of the individuals’ visa programs,” Frenk said in his campus message. “At this time, UCLA is not aware of any federal law enforcement activity on campus related to these terminations.” He later told the campus: “We recognize that these actions can bring feelings of tremendous uncertainty and anxiety to our community. We want our immigrant and international UCLA students, staff and faculty to know we support your ability to work, learn, teach and thrive here.”
Other Universities Affected
Also Sunday, UC Santa Cruz said the visas of three of its students had been terminated “with no advance notice.” Other UC campuses — Berkeley, Davis and San Diego — and Stanford announced student visa cancellations Friday and Saturday. At UC San Diego, one student was also detained for deportation at the border, according to a campus message from Chancellor Pradeep Khosla.
Extent of the Problem
A UC official told The Times that UC Irvine students also had been affected by the sweep. No other details were provided. The official spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to talk to the media. A UC Irvine spokesperson did not respond to a request Sunday for more information. The Trump administration changed the students’ status in SEVIS, a system linked to the Homeland Security Department that schools use to provide information on whether foreign students are enrolled in classes, abiding by work restrictions and otherwise in good standing.
Implications for Students
Without valid enrollment status or visas, students could be open to immigration enforcement actions against them. Federal immigration authorities generally only detain individuals when they are a public danger or flight risk but the Trump administration has at times taken more aggressive actions. Schools have not reported federal immigration authorities on campuses.
Legal Action
An anonymous Orange County college student also filed a lawsuit Saturday in federal court in Los Angeles against the Trump administration, alleging their status at an unnamed campus was illegally terminated. The suit states that the student’s only legal violations were a “minor speeding ticket and a misdemeanor alcohol related driving conviction” and that the State Department was aware of the alcohol charge before renewing their visa.
Reaction from the Academic Community
The administration’s action “appears to be designed to coerce students, including plaintiff, into abandoning their studies and ‘self-deporting,’” the suit says. “If ICE believes a student is deportable for having a revoked visa, it has the authority to initiate removal proceedings and make its case in court. It cannot, however, misuse SEVIS to circumvent the law, strip students of status, and drive them out of the country without process.”
Ongoing Evaluation and Support
Since school leaders are not receiving warnings about the changes, employees are scrambling to find out how many students have been affected. Some tallies have fluctuated multiple times a day. At UC Berkeley, the campus initially said Saturday that four students’ visas were canceled. It later revised the number twice and landed on six. Other campuses are still evaluating their international student enrollments.
National Impact
Nationally, similar actions since last week have affected students at Arizona State, Colorado State, Columbia, Harvard, North Carolina State and several other universities. It’s unclear why the Trump administration is revoking the visas. In March, the Homeland Security and State departments detained several foreign students, including those at Columbia University, for deportation. Those actions were based on allegations that their pro-Palestinian protest activities were “pro-Hamas” — the militant group that the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization — and a threat to U.S. security and foreign policy. Many of those detentions are being challenged in federal courts.
Conclusion
The sudden cancellation of visas for dozens of international students in California and across the United States has sent shockwaves through academic communities. Universities are scrambling to support affected students, while also seeking clarity on the reasons behind these actions. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these cancellations will impact the lives of these students and the broader academic landscape.
FAQs
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Q: How many students have been affected by the visa cancellations?
A: At least 45 students and recent graduates in California have been affected, with the total number nationwide still unclear. -
Q: Why are the visas being canceled?
A: The reasons for the cancellations are not entirely clear, but they are reportedly due to violations of the terms of the individuals’ visa programs, including interactions with law enforcement and minor offenses. -
Q: What support are universities offering to affected students?
A: Universities are offering various forms of support, including legal aid, guidance on dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and assistance with continuing their studies remotely if they are forced to leave the U.S. -
Q: Is this a new policy, and how does it compare to previous actions?
A: The current actions appear to be part of a stricter enforcement of immigration laws, with the government taking a harder line on minor infractions that might not have previously led to visa revocation. - Q: What is the potential long-term impact on international students and universities?
A: The long-term impact could be significant, potentially deterring international students from studying in the U.S. and affecting the diversity and academic excellence of American universities.
