Student Visa Cancellations Impact International Students in the US

TEXAS: The international student community in the United States is currently experiencing considerable anxiety due to a series of student visa cancellations, with Texas identified as the state most affected.

Reports indicate that over 122 international students have had their visas rescinded or their immigration status nullified. These actions, executed through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), pose a significant threat to their legal residency in the U.S.

While authorities have not yet provided a formal explanation for these abrupt changes, immigration specialists speculate that stricter immigration policies, heightened monitoring of social media, and certain political motivations may be contributing factors.

The universities in Texas reporting affected students include:

  • University of North Texas (UNT): 27 students
  • University of Texas at Arlington: 27 students
  • Texas A&M University: 23 students
  • University of Texas at Dallas: 19 students
  • University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: nine students
  • Texas Woman’s University: four students
  • Texas Tech University: three students
  • University of Texas at El Paso: 10 students

The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Houston have also acknowledged alterations in the immigration status of some international students, although specific figures remain undisclosed.

According to a faculty senate vice chairman at the University of North Texas, the SEVIS status terminations began with 16 students and later increased to 27. The majority of these students are at the graduate level, and university officials have confirmed ongoing communication with them.

The US Department of Homeland Security recently announced intentions to monitor international students’ social media accounts for content deemed “antisemitic.”

This announcement follows two executive orders issued, suggesting more stringent actions related to pro-Palestine protests on college campuses, many of which occurred in Texas.

Naim Sukhia, an immigration attorney based in Dallas, commented, “Removal from SEVIS undermines a student’s legal right to due process, ejecting them from the immigration system without proper explanation.”

Sukhia explained that the loss of SEVIS status not only disrupts a student’s academic pursuits but also endangers the legal status of their dependents, such as spouses and children.

He noted that affected students face limited options, including leaving the country or applying for reinstatement—a process described as lengthy, uncertain, and legally complex.

Sukhia advised students receiving such notices to immediately contact their Designated School Official (DSO) and explore the possibility of reinstatement, despite its challenges.

Reports indicate that a significant number of students affected by these visa cancellations come from South Asian countries and the Middle East.

Several affected students and advocacy groups are contemplating legal action to challenge these decisions. Simultaneously, the hashtag #SaveTexasStudents is gaining momentum on social media, advocating for justice and support for international students.

A spokesperson for the University of Texas at Dallas stated, “This is an evolving situation, and we are in constant contact with affected students to guide them through this uncertainty.”

The University of North Texas added that 19 of the 27 students removed from SEVIS are graduate students and valuable members of the university’s international academic community.

Texas, a popular destination for international students in the US, is now becoming a difficult environment for those seeking education.

Experts caution that if this pattern persists, it could restrict access to American higher education for numerous prospective students worldwide. Legal professionals are advising affected students and their families to seek counsel from experienced immigration lawyers for guidance and support.