Chaos on Campus: U.S. Revokes Visas of International Students, Sparking Nationwide Alarm

 

Nationwide Visa Cancellations Leave International Students in Turmoil

Universities across the United States are grappling with a growing crisis as hundreds of international students have had their visas abruptly canceled, thrusting them into legal limbo and sparking widespread concern on college campuses.

The wave of visa terminations, affecting at least 901 students across 128 institutions according to an Associated Press analysis, has sent shockwaves through academic communities and ignited legal battles in several states. The affected students, hailing from a broad range of countries including Nigeria, India, and China, now face the prospect of deportation or long-term immigration complications — many without a clear understanding of why their legal status was revoked.

“There was confusion at first — we thought it might be isolated,” said Matthew Maiona, an immigration attorney based in Boston. “But now it’s escalating rapidly. We’re seeing a volume of cases we’ve never encountered before.”

Unlike in previous instances where immigration status changes were formally communicated, this time many universities are discovering cancellations only after accessing the Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). In many cases, the students themselves are left unaware until after the termination has already taken place, giving them little to no time to respond or seek assistance.

The reasons behind these cancellations appear inconsistent and, in some cases, startlingly minor. Legal representatives and student advocates have reported cases where students were penalized for infractions as trivial as traffic violations. Others were flagged for administrative discrepancies or allegedly outdated contact information — infractions that historically did not lead to such severe consequences.

Legal actions are now emerging in multiple jurisdictions. In Michigan, four students have initiated a lawsuit against the federal government, asserting that their visas were revoked without due explanation or recourse. Similar legal motions are unfolding in states like New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Montana, where judges have granted temporary reinstatements of students’ statuses while cases are reviewed.

The uncertainty has rattled students across the nation, particularly those nearing the end of their academic programs or preparing to enter the workforce. “We’re just trying to finish our degrees, and now everything feels like it’s collapsing,” shared a Chinese Ph.D. candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “Every day, you wonder if you’ll be next.”

In the absence of an official explanation from either the U.S. Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security, rumors and fear have filled the information void. Immigration lawyers and university administrators alike are expressing concern over the lack of transparency and the sudden shift in enforcement practices.

Many students are now adjusting their daily lives out of fear. Some carry their immigration documents at all times, avoid public gatherings, or hesitate to leave their residences unnecessarily. Advisors are cautioning students to remain vigilant and consult legal counsel immediately if they receive any notification of status change.

“It’s created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust,” Maiona added. “This isn’t just about policy — it’s about lives being disrupted with little to no justification.”

With no formal policy announcement to clarify the change in protocol, questions remain about whether this is a targeted crackdown or a byproduct of internal bureaucratic changes within immigration enforcement.

Advocacy groups are urging the government to provide clarity and ensure that due process is followed. They warn that the consequences extend far beyond individual students — affecting institutional trust, academic integrity, and the broader perception of the United States as a welcoming destination for global education.

Until then, students like those from Nigeria and other nations impacted are left with little more than uncertainty — waiting for answers, and hoping not to be the next ones caught in the crossfire.