US immigration authorities have recently revoked student visas for numerous international students at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Tufts, and Stanford, causing mounting concern among university officials nationwide.
These visa cancellations — impacting both current students and recent graduates — are often discovered only when schools notice changes in federal immigration databases, according to recent statements by universities across the country.
The crackdown comes as part of the Trump administration's broader push to tighten oversight of international students. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated last month that over 300 student visas had been revoked under these efforts.
“We’re still trying to understand the full extent and pattern of what’s happening,” said Shev Dalal-Dheini, senior director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
One of the most high-profile cases involves Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national and Ph.D. student at Tufts University, who was reportedly detained by federal agents while walking on the street.
Another involves Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate whose visa was revoked after participating in pro-Palestinian protests. Both individuals are currently being held in immigration detention as authorities seek their deportation.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Times reported that dozens of students across California — at universities including UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz, and Stanford — have had their visas canceled in recent weeks.
At least two students have filed federal lawsuits, alleging that their visas were revoked without due process, in some instances over minor legal infractions such as traffic violations.
Stanford University confirmed in a Friday statement that six of its students had their visas revoked.
“We do not share student records with immigration authorities unless required by law,” the university added.
Harvard reported on Sunday that visas were revoked for three current students and two recent alumni. Similar incidents have been reported at Dartmouth College, Arizona State University, Minnesota State University, and the University of Oregon, according to the Associated Press.
Neither the State Department nor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued public comments on the matter.
While the State Department has long held authority to revoke visas, Dalal-Dheini noted that this recent wave appears more widespread and systematic than in previous years.
The growing trend has sparked outrage and activism. On April 5, protests were held in dozens of US cities, with demonstrators citing the cases of Ozturk and Khalil as examples of what they view as targeted action against international students and a chilling effect on free speech in academic spaces.