Introduction to the Visa Reinstatement
International students at Fordham University whose visas were revoked during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown have now had their status reinstated, along with at least 16 of the 17 affected CUNY students. While students generally did not receive explanations as to why their legal status had been revoked, some believe it was a consequence of their pro-Palestinian activism — which the Trump administration considers a national security threat — whereas the reasons for others were unclear to the schools and students.
Background on the Visa Revocation
Fordham reported that as of 10 a.m. on April 27, “All international visas for Fordham students and scholars are in force.” The school declined to comment beyond this update. A CUNY spokesperson would not provide updates specific to Lehman College in the Bronx, where one student’s visa was terminated, as confirmed by the Bronx Times. CUNY previously said that 17 students systemwide had their legal statuses changed and provided an April 29 update saying that “CUNY is aware of 16 international students with F1 visas who have had their status reinstated. We are reaching out to all of them to inform them of this positive update.”
The Reinstatement Process
The reinstatement comes as the Trump administration announced on April 25 that it would restore legal status for many of the 1,200-plus affected students — but only temporarily, while it develops a new process for terminating them. Across the country, dozens of judges had already ruled that the students must be restored to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which tracks international students while they are in the United States. Students had been removed from the database by the Trump administration, which jeopardized their ability to legally remain in the country without threat of deportation.
College and Student Response
Hundreds of students sued in response, and many colleges, including Fordham, also used the courts to push back against the administration’s actions. Fordham was one of 86 schools that signed on to an April 9 amicus brief which said that the immigration crackdown “created a climate of fear among non-citizens at American colleges and universities” and would lead to a “brain drain,” putting the U.S. economy and innovation at risk.
Public Support and Uncertainty
Now, with students’ legal status restored, uncertainty remains as to how long the relief will last. However, many international students may have public support on their side. At least one study has found that revoking student visas is an unpopular move among Americans, even when it comes to students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests. A survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs found that half of U.S. adults oppose revoking these students’ legal status, and only 3 in 10 are in support.
Conclusion
The reinstatement of visas for international students at Fordham University and CUNY is a significant development, but the uncertainty surrounding the future of their legal status remains. As the Trump administration develops a new process for terminating student visas, international students and the colleges that support them will continue to face challenges and uncertainty.
FAQs
Q: Why were international students’ visas revoked during the Trump administration?
A: The reasons for the visa revocation were not always clear, but some students believe it was due to their pro-Palestinian activism, which the Trump administration considers a national security threat.
Q: How many students had their visas reinstated?
A: At least 16 of the 17 affected CUNY students and all international students at Fordham University had their visas reinstated.
Q: What is the current status of the students’ legal status?
A: The students’ legal status has been temporarily restored, but the Trump administration is developing a new process for terminating student visas, which may affect their status in the future.
Q: What has been the public response to the visa revocation?
A: A survey found that half of U.S. adults oppose revoking the students’ legal status, and only 3 in 10 are in support.
Q: How can I get more information about this topic?
A: You can contact Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015, or follow the Bronx Times on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @bronxtimes for more coverage.
