Experts and immigration advocates contend that these sudden revocations stem from minor issues, including routine traffic offenses, raising concerns that this move is symptomatic of a broader, more stringent approach to immigration enforcement potentially driven by the Trump administration's policies impacting both immigrants and the universities that host them.
The decision has left numerous students, many on the cusp of completing their studies or embarking on post-graduate work, scrambling for answers and facing imminent departure from the U.S. The personal toll is immense, shattering academic dreams and career aspirations overnight.
One poignant example highlighted by The Guardian UK is Lisa (name changed for privacy), a student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Just one month shy of her graduation, she received an alarming email notification: “ISS is writing to inform you that your SEVIS record was terminated.” SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is crucial for maintaining legal student status. Initially dismissing the email as potential spam, Lisa’s dread solidified as online research and student forums confirmed her status had been revoked, labelling her "out of status."
The cited reason for this drastic measure was a minor traffic incident from the previous year, involving two tickets for which she attended court and was fingerprinted. This seemingly minor encounter with law enforcement triggered the termination.
The standard procedure following a SEVIS termination gives students a mere 15-day window to leave the United States. Overstaying risks severe consequences, including deportation and potential bans on future entry, jeopardizing years of academic investment and future opportunities.
Lisa's predicament is not isolated. Reports indicate that students across prestigious institutions like Stanford, UCLA, UC San Diego, Ohio State, and the University of Oregon have faced similar fates. A grassroots effort saw affected students creating an online spreadsheet, documenting shared experiences from over 50 universities. A common narrative emerged: minor traffic violations led to court appearances, fingerprinting, and subsequent, unexpected visa status termination, often without the students realizing the potential gravity of these minor infractions.
Disturbingly, many students found their SEVIS termination letters referenced "criminal records," even when the underlying incidents were non-criminal traffic offenses or cases where charges were ultimately dropped. The timing of these actions is also drawing scrutiny. A significant number of terminations reportedly occurred around April 4th, shortly after a public statement on March 27th by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, where he indicated a crackdown, stating, “Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” framing it as a national security measure. While Rubio's comments may not have specifically targeted these minor offense cases, advocates see the subsequent actions as part of a concerning trend.
Immigration lawyers describe the scale and nature of these terminations as highly unusual and procedurally questionable. "Students weren’t given any chance to explain their situation," noted Shenqi Cai, an attorney with Lashine Law in California. "They were terminated under one broad directive, seemingly triggered by automated screenings that don’t account for state-by-state differences in legal definitions." Cai further observed that approximately 90% of the affected students had been fingerprinted, often a standard procedure even for minor issues in some jurisdictions, regardless of conviction or dropped charges. "Fingerprinting alone should not equate to a criminal record," she emphasized, pointing to a potential flaw in the system's interpretation.
The repercussions for the students are immediate and severe. David, a Chinese student legally working under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, saw his employment authorization vanish overnight. His employer is attempting to facilitate a transfer to Canada, but the compressed 15-day departure deadline presents a significant logistical challenge. Another student, Bill, ticketed for driving with an expired license, finds himself in a legal paradox: his case is still pending, requiring him to attend court, yet remaining in the U.S. past the 15-day limit puts him at risk of detention. "The dust of history falls on me, and it becomes a mountain," Bill lamented, capturing the overwhelming weight of the situation.
Universities have largely directed affected students towards immigration lawyers, some of whom offer discounted rates, but the legal costs remain a substantial burden for students already facing immense stress.
The growing panic prompted over 300 students to join an emergency Zoom session with federal immigration lawyer Brad Banias. His assessment was blunt: "It’s not a legal move, it’s a political one," he told the distressed students. "They’re criminalizing parking tickets."
For Lisa, her meticulously planned future hangs in the balance. Graduation is uncertain, and potential job offers or graduate school admissions are now imperilled. "Worst case, I don’t graduate. I go home and start college again. Four more years. And then what?" she questioned, voicing the profound disruption to her life.
This sudden enforcement action targeting international students over minor issues has sounded alarms beyond the affected individuals. It signals a potentially heightened focus by governmental bodies on immigration control, extending scrutiny deeply into the academic sphere. As Banias cautioned, "This isn’t just about students. It’s about the message the government is sending: that no one is safe." The incident underscores the vulnerability of non-citizens to administrative actions and policy shifts, even when based on seemingly negligible grounds.