Over 1,000 International Students Had Visa Revoked, Sparks Legal Clash/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ More than 1,000 international students across U.S. universities have had their visas or legal status revoked since late March. Students and legal advocates are challenging the Trump administration, claiming due process violations and a pattern of unjustified enforcement.
Visa Crackdown Fallout – Quick Looks
- Over 1,000 students across 170 U.S. schools affected
- Lawsuits claim Trump administration denied due process
- Colleges say revocations stem from minor infractions
- Temporary restraining orders granted in three states
- Fear, confusion rise among global student population
- ACLU lawsuits demand reinstatement of legal status
- DHS and ICE have not explained broad enforcement
- U.S. higher education community concerned over global impact
Deep Look: International Students Face Deportation Wave Under Trump Crackdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A sweeping crackdown by the Trump administration has left more than 1,000 international students facing visa revocations or legal status termination, sparking lawsuits and panic among academic institutions and immigrant communities.
According to an Associated Press investigation, at least 1,024 students from 170 colleges and universities have been affected since late March. The schools range from Ivy League institutions like Harvard and Stanford to large public universities like Ohio State and the University of Maryland. Small liberal arts colleges have also reported cases.
At the center of the crisis is the Department of Homeland Security’s apparent move to escalate enforcement against F-1 visa holders. While no formal policy has been publicly declared, universities and legal advocates say there is little doubt this is a coordinated action.
“The timing and scope suggest a nationwide campaign of enforcement, often for vague or trivial reasons,” said ACLU attorneys representing students at the University of Michigan and Wayne State.
In New Hampshire, a federal judge issued a restraining order last week in favor of a Chinese student at Dartmouth College. Similar legal actions are underway in Georgia and California.
Meanwhile, a class-action lawsuit filed Friday in New Hampshire aims to restore status for over 100 students in New England and Puerto Rico. One plaintiff, a computer science master’s student from India, was just weeks from graduation when he was told his status had been revoked. Another, a Chinese doctoral student, lost his only source of income after being removed from his research assistant role.
Why Are Visas Being Revoked?
Typically, international student visas are revoked only for serious violations or if a student is no longer enrolled. But many students say they’ve been penalized for outdated traffic violations or face unclear accusations. Schools say the revocations are often discovered suddenly, without prior notice.
“This is new. The sudden termination of legal status, without communication, deviates from established protocol,” said Sarah Spreitzer of the American Council on Education.
Previously, losing an entry visa didn’t affect a student’s status inside the U.S. unless they left and tried to return. Now, students stripped of legal residency face immediate risk of detention or deportation.
Homeland Security has not responded to requests for comment.
In high-profile cases, the Trump administration has linked deportation actions to political activism, particularly surrounding pro-Palestinian protests. But universities assert that most affected students have no connection to any political demonstrations.
Campus Confusion and Legal Backlash
With few details from DHS, university leaders are scrambling to understand the situation and reassure students. Many have reissued warnings about travel and encouraged students to carry proper documentation at all times.
“These are unprecedented times,” wrote UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. “We must be thoughtful in how we protect and support our community.”
At least three federal courts — in New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Montana — have temporarily blocked enforcement actions. The lawsuits argue that the government violated students’ constitutional rights by terminating their legal status without notice or hearing.
In an email to AP, Gilles Bissonnette of the ACLU of New Hampshire emphasized that the issue is larger than immigration law.
“No administration should be allowed to strip people of status without following the law,” he said.
Implications for Higher Education and Global Talent
The wave of revocations threatens to undermine international confidence in the U.S. education system, which annually draws over a million foreign students and generates billions in tuition revenue.
“If the U.S. becomes seen as unpredictable or hostile, top global talent will look elsewhere,” warned Michelle Mittelstadt of the Migration Policy Institute.
Already, some students have abandoned their programs and left the country voluntarily to avoid arrest. Others remain in hiding or are consulting attorneys.
“The threat of rapid removal is new and chilling,” said Spreitzer. “It’s not something we’ve seen at this scale before.”
With legal battles intensifying, it remains unclear how many more students might be targeted — or whether a judicial ruling could halt the policy nationwide.
“We’ve been through tough periods before,” said a university attorney who requested anonymity. “But this feels different. It feels like a message.”
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