Overview
- More than 600 international students and recent graduates across over 100 U.S. institutions have had their visas revoked, with reasons ranging from alleged political activism to minor infractions.
- Universities are discovering visa terminations indirectly through SEVIS database audits, as the federal government often fails to notify schools or students directly.
- Legal challenges are mounting, including a recent federal court order to reinstate the visa of a Dartmouth doctoral student, citing violations of due process.
- The Trump administration has defended the revocations as necessary for border security, but critics argue the actions are racially motivated and infringe on First Amendment rights.
- Institutions are scrambling to support affected students with legal aid, mental health resources, and alternative academic arrangements, while uncertainty about future visa policies grows.