Over 1200 International Students’ Status Revoked: Mass Visa Cancellations Rock U.S. Campuses

Immigration Articles, Uncategorized, 20 min read

Students Shocked, Facing Potential Deportation

As of April 15 2025, more than 1200 international students and recent graduates, from 200 colleges, across the United States have reportedly had their student visas canceled or immigration status changed—often without warning—according to a growing number of colleges, student advocates, and immigration attorneys. These visa revocations have significantly impacted students and recent graduates, affecting their academic and professional futures.

These visa revocations affect students involved in various types of political activism as well as others with seemingly minor infractions. Universities are aware of the concerns and anxiety caused within the international community due to these visa terminations, highlighting the need for support and mental health resources for affected students.

What’s Happening: A National Crackdown on International Students

Over 1200 F-1 and J-1 visas have been revoked or immigration status altered.
Cancellations affect both currently enrolled students and recent graduates on OPT (Optional Practical Training).
Affected individuals come from over 200 colleges and universities, including top institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia.
Many schools say they’ve received no formal explanation for the government’s actions.

Source: Inside Higher Ed (original reporting based on campus communications and public records)

Targeting of Student Protesters and Minor Infractions

Anti-Israel Activism Under Scrutiny

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that more than 300 visas had been canceled as part of a policy targeting students involved in political movements, including anti-Israel protests.
Many of the affected students participated in pro-Palestine demonstrations.
“Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” Rubio said in a statement on March 27 while visiting Guyana.

Social Media Surveillance and “Catch and Revoke” Initiative

The U.S. State Department is using AI-based social media monitoring tools to scan for international students allegedly:

Supporting Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations
Expressing anti-Israel views

This initiative, informally dubbed “Catch and Revoke,” is believed to be a key driver of the visa cancellations.

Axios reports that findings from this monitoring have triggered automatic visa revocations, sometimes without student notification. Findings from social media monitoring have also led to detentions by ICE agents.

Students flagged by these surveillance systems could potentially face severe consequences, including the risk of being detained or barred from re-entry into the country.

Not Just Protesters: Minor Offenses Also Triggering Revocations

Some students have lost their visas for non-criminal infractions and minor crimes, such as:
Expired vehicle registration
Driving with a suspended license
These minor offenses have led to arrests, which in turn triggered alerts to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Despite these instances, there is no clear pattern in the reasons for these visa revocations.

Real-World Cases of Students Affected

Name		School	Incident			Status
Felipe Zapata Velázquez		University of Florida	Arrested for traffic infractions, deported to Colombia			Recovering in Colombia
Mahmoud Khalil		Columbia University	Participated in pro-Palestinian campus protests			In ICE custody
Rumeysa Ozturk		Tufts University	Published an op-ed critical of Israel			Detained, facing removal
Kseniia Petrova	Harvard Medical School			Failed to declare frog embryos at customs	In ICE custody
Xiaotian Liu	Dartmouth College			No violation; visa revoked with no explanation	Temporary court relief
Doğukan Günaydin	University of Minnesota			DUI conviction from years ago	Detained by ICE

University representatives have commented on the implications of these visa revocations, highlighting concerns over the lack of communication from federal agencies and the privacy of affected students.

Student advocates and civil liberties groups argue that these cases show a disturbing erosion of free speech protections for foreign students in the U.S.

Nationwide Spike in Visa Revocations and SEVIS Terminations

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is raising the alarm over a wave of enforcement actions affecting international students and scholars in the United States. Since mid-March 2025, more than 950 reports have surfaced involving:

Visa revocations
SEVIS record terminations
Detentions and arrests

These incidents have been reported by institutions across all types of U.S. higher education—from community colleges to top-tier R-1 research universities—spanning every region of the nation. The press has reported on the implications of these actions on international education, highlighting the broader context of visa policy changes.

Who’s Being Affected?

Undergraduate and graduate students
Individuals on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT
Students from all regions of the world—there is no specific national trend

These actions are not limited to students involved in protests or criminal activity. In many cases, noncitizens, particularly international students, and schools have not been provided a clear reason or official notice in advance. This has significantly impacted non-U.S. citizens, raising concerns and anxieties within university communities regarding immigration enforcement and the protection of their rights.

What’s Changing in SEVIS Termination Codes?

NAFSA’s (Association of International Educator’s) review found that reasons for termination have shifted over time, reflecting broader trends in visa terminations:

Earlier Reasons	Current Reasons
“Otherwise failing to maintain status” with citations to INA provisions	“Other” with vague references to visa revocation or criminal checks
Specific references to foreign policy concerns or status violations	No longer citing any specific INA provision
Citations to a criminal records check	Now often noted as “and/or” instead of clear documentation

This lack of transparency and process is alarming. Students are not being informed of the exact charges or given a pathway to appeal, which raises serious due process concerns. Additionally, visa terminations can lead to students unintentionally overstay their legal residency, resulting in detention and potential deportation.

Why This Matters: National Security and Global Competitiveness

Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA, emphasized the broader consequences: “International students fuel American innovation, foster cultural exchange, and enhance our national security. Deterring them won’t make us safer—but it will rob us of global talent. Visa revocations could have adverse foreign policy consequences, as actions taken against international students are often justified by citing potential threats to U.S. foreign policy.”

The impact on American universities is significant, as these institutions face challenges in attracting international talent due to these visa issues.

Key points:

International students are among the most thoroughly vetted visitors to the U.S.
New enforcement trends risk deterring future applicants
Global competition for student talent is increasing, with interest surging in countries like Germany, France, and China

Explore more: About SEVIS | OPT Program Overview – USCIS

Legal and Human Rights Concerns Raised

First Amendment at Risk?

Attorneys representing students argue that their clients’ actions—such as writing opinion pieces or joining protests—are protected under the First Amendment. Students who participate in protests are exercising their rights, and this participation should not lead to punitive actions like visa revocations.
Visa cancellation based on protected speech could violate constitutional protections, although foreign nationals do not enjoy full constitutional rights in the U.S. The impact of student activism related to the war in Gaza has led to increased scrutiny and visa revocations, highlighting the broader implications of government actions in response to anti-war protests.

Lack of Due Process

Many students received no advance warning that their visas were canceled.
There is often no opportunity to appeal or contest the revocation before deportation proceedings begin.

Student Advocacy Groups Push Back

Affected students have created a crowdsourced database to track visa revocations across the country. As of April 4, the database documented revocations at over 50 colleges, including both public and private institutions. Other universities are also reporting similar issues with international students facing deportation and heightened scrutiny from authorities.

Legal organizations and academic institutions are now preparing challenges in court and lobbying Congress for oversight. They are committed to supporting affected students during this troubled period.

Increased Visa Vetting and Surveillance

The U.S. government has instructed its consulates worldwide to:

Enhance vetting of F-1 and J-1 student visa applicants as directed by federal authorities
Scrutinize social media for any posts that could be linked to terrorism or “anti-American” sentiment
Revoke visas post-entry if students are later flagged by surveillance systems

In recent weeks, there has been an increase in visa revocations, highlighting the swift actions taken by federal authorities and the subsequent uncertainty faced by educational institutions and affected students.

Resource:U.S. Department of State – Visa Policy

Universities Say They’re Left in the Dark

Schools like UCLA, Stanford, and UT Austin say they were never directly notified of visa revocations. University officials have commented on the lack of communication from federal authorities, expressing frustration over the opaque process. They often only discover cancellations when students disappear or lose SEVIS authorization. A press release issued by university officials highlighted the urgent need for better communication and transparency regarding these visa revocations.

Many revocations cite vague or broad reasons such as “violations of visa terms.” Many are alarmed by the lack of transparency and are calling on federal agencies to explain the criteria being used.

Implications for International Students

This sweeping wave of visa cancellations raises serious concerns for current and prospective international students:

Loss of legal status can happen without notice or due process
Participation in political activism, including protests or online speech, may now carry immigration risks
Minor infractions could result in ICE detention or removal

Over the past few weeks, there has been a significant increase in visa revocations, particularly affecting those involved in activism and protests related to the conflict in Gaza.

Students Face Quick Removal and “Self-Deportation” Pressure

CBP One app—now renamed CBP Home—encourages international students with revoked visas to “self-deport” to avoid being barred from future U.S. entry. Federal authorities are urging students to self-deport to comply with immigration laws. Specific announcements regarding visa revocations were made on a Friday, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

DHS warns failure to comply could result in:

Arrest and removal
Lifetime bans
Daily fines of $998 after final removal orders

“If they don’t leave, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return.” — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

Students Caught in Bureaucratic Confusion and Fear

Many international students involved in political activism live in constant fear of detention
Even those with clean records or minor administrative mistakes are being swept up
Financial, emotional, and academic costs are mounting

“We feel anxiety because we don’t know what’s going to happen… People could be targeted without being related to something.” — Anonymous student in Philadelphia

Photos capturing student protests and visa revocations are often used in reporting to highlight the impact of governmental policies on international students.

What Can International Students Do Now?

If you’re an international student in the U.S., take the following steps:

Consult an immigration attorney immediately if you’ve received notice of visa cancellation or ICE contact. Be cautious about participating in political activism, as it may impact your visa status.
You can find a qualified immigration lawyer at Herman Legal Group or through AILA’s Attorney Search
Monitor your SEVIS status using your school’s international student portal
Avoid minor legal infractions (expired tags, traffic violations, etc.)
Be cautious on social media—know that your posts may be monitored
Report visa concerns to your university’s international student office and document all communication

Despite observing instances of visa revocation among students with minor legal infractions, no clear pattern has emerged to explain these actions.

Legal Pushback: Courts as the Last Line of Defense

In several cases, judges have issued temporary restraining orders to halt removals related to political activism
In Liu’s case, the judge acknowledged that revoking a visa does not grant ICE automatic removal powers
Students like Liu have no criminal history or protest involvement—raising broader civil liberty concerns

Despite these legal challenges, there is no clear pattern in the reasons for visa revocations.

Recommended legal resource: AILA Immigration Lawyer Directory

U.S. for Success Coalition Calls on Congress to Act

NAFSA, alongside other founding members of the U.S. for Success Coalition, is urging Congress to:

Intervene and demand explanations from the administration, and protect students involved in political activism
Protect international students and scholars from arbitrary enforcement
Prioritize policies that preserve U.S. global leadership in higher education

Despite these efforts, there is no clear pattern in the reasons for visa revocations, making it difficult to address the issue effectively.

New Survey Data Shows:

40% drop in international postgraduate interest in U.S. schools since January 2025
Growing preference for alternatives in Europe and Asia

Take Action: How You Can Help

The Coalition is calling on students, university leaders, businesses, and foreign policy experts to:

Contact their members of Congress and advocate for policies that protect students involved in political activism
Advocate for policies that welcome international talent
Highlight the economic and cultural contributions of international education

Despite observing instances of visa revocation among students with minor legal infractions, no clear pattern has emerged to explain these actions.

You can find your elected officials and send a message through this portal: Contact Your Congressperson

FAQs: F-1 Visa and SEVIS Revocation in April, 2025

What does it mean to have an F-1 visa revoked?F-1 visa revocation means the U.S. Department of State has formally canceled your visa. This typically makes you ineligible to re-enter the U.S. using that visa. If you’re already in the U.S., revocation does not automatically terminate your lawful status—but it may trigger enforcement actions such as arrest, detention, or removal. Participation in political activism may now carry immigration risks, as recent actions suggest that students involved in protests or expressing controversial views have been targeted. Despite these instances, there is no clear pattern in the reasons for visa revocations.

What is a SEVIS termination?SEVIS termination refers to the deactivation of your F-1 student record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. Once your SEVIS record is terminated, you are considered out of status and are no longer legally authorized to remain in the U.S. unless you file for reinstatement or another legal remedy.

Can my visa be revoked while I’m still in the U.S.?Yes. The U.S. Department of State can revoke your visa at any time, even if you are already in the country. This revocation may not immediately affect your current status but could result in detainment or removal proceedings if reported to ICE.

Do I get notified if my visa is revoked or SEVIS is terminated?In many recent cases, students have not received formal, timely notice. Universities often learn about SEVIS terminations through system updates, and visa revocations may only be discovered during travel, visa applications, or ICE enforcement actions.

What reasons are being cited for SEVIS terminations in 2025?Initially, SEVIS terminations referenced failure to maintain status or potential foreign policy threats. Recently, termination reasons have changed to vague terms like “Other” or “Criminal Records Check and/or Visa Revocation,” often without citing specific violations of immigration law.

Can a minor offense like a traffic violation lead to SEVIS termination or visa revocation?Yes. Some students have reported visa revocations or ICE arrests following minor legal infractions, such as driving with an expired registration or a suspended license. These are being used as justification for more severe immigration enforcement actions.

What legal authority does the government have to revoke a visa or terminate SEVIS records?The Department of State can revoke a visa under INA § 221(i). DHS/ICE can terminate SEVIS records for violations of status or other grounds under 8 CFR § 214.1. However, courts are currently evaluating whether some 2025 actions violate due process or exceed statutory authority.

Can I appeal a visa revocation or SEVIS termination?There is no formal appeal process for a visa revocation. SEVIS terminations may be challenged through a reinstatement application with USCIS or through federal court litigation. In some cases, temporary restraining orders have blocked deportation while cases are reviewed.

What is the difference between being “out of status” and having your visa revoked?Visa revocation refers to your travel document being canceled. Being “out of status” refers to your legal standing while inside the U.S. You can be in the U.S. lawfully on an expired visa but fall “out of status” if your SEVIS is terminated or you violate visa conditions.

What happens if I am detained by ICE after visa revocation?You may be placed in immigration detention and begin removal proceedings. You could be given a Notice to Appear (NTA) before an immigration judge. You may also be encouraged to self-deport through voluntary departure offers or the CBP Home app.

Can I leave the U.S. voluntarily if my visa was revoked or SEVIS terminated?Yes. You can use tools like CBP Home to notify the government of your intent to depart voluntarily. This may preserve eligibility to return in the future. Failure to depart may trigger removal orders, fines, or bans on reentry.

Is there a risk of reentry ban if I remain in the U.S. after SEVIS termination?Yes. If you accrue unlawful presence (typically 180 days or more), you may face 3- or 10-year bars to reentry. If you are ordered removed and fail to comply, you may face permanent inadmissibility under INA § 212(a)(9).

What should I do if I learn my SEVIS has been terminated?

Immediately contact your Designated School Official (DSO) for clarification
Consult an immigration attorney to determine options for reinstatement or change of status
Avoid leaving the U.S. without legal advice, especially if your visa has also been revoked
Monitor your SEVIS status through your student portal or SEVP Portal

What are my legal options after SEVIS termination?

Apply for reinstatement through USCIS within five months
Change to another nonimmigrant status (such as B-2) if eligible
File a federal lawsuit if you believe your rights were violated
Voluntarily depart to avoid accruing unlawful presence or receiving a removal order

Is political speech or protest grounds for SEVIS termination or visa revocation?It should not be. However, recent actions suggest that students participating in protests or expressing controversial views—particularly on Palestine or Israel—have been targeted. Legal challenges are underway to test the constitutionality of these actions under the First Amendment.

Do universities receive official notification of visa revocations?No, not always. In most 2025 cases, universities only discovered changes after checking SEVIS or DHS databases. Students often notify schools after learning independently of the revocation or termination.

Can my university help me challenge a SEVIS termination?Your university’s DSO can help correct SEVIS errors or clarify record details, but they cannot reverse visa revocations or guarantee reinstatement. You may need an immigration attorney to pursue more formal remedies.

Are students being fined for overstaying after visa revocation?Yes. DHS has warned that students may be fined $998 per day after a final order of removal if they remain in the U.S. This is part of a new enforcement measure meant to discourage resistance to departure.

Has this happened before, or is this new under the current administration?While SEVIS terminations and visa revocations are not new, the scale, speed, and lack of transparency seen in 2025 are unprecedented. Many believe this is part of a broader strategy to deter foreign student presence in the U.S.

Are students from certain countries being disproportionately targeted?Currently, no single nationality is being reported as more frequently targeted. Students from all regions—including Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East—are reporting visa or SEVIS issues.

What is NAFSA doing about this?NAFSA is collecting data, coordinating with attorneys, issuing alerts, and urging Congressional intervention through the U.S. for Success Coalition. Their goal is to restore due process, transparency, and global confidence in U.S. education.

Learn more: NAFSA’s Advocacy Center

How can I protect myself from being targeted?

Keep your documents up to date, including SEVIS I-20, visa, and passport
Avoid legal infractions, even minor traffic violations
Be careful on social media, as AI monitoring may flag politically sensitive content
Stay informed via your school’s international office and trusted immigration sources

Conclusion: A Time of Uncertainty for International Students

The recent escalation in visa revocations under the “Catch and Revoke” initiative signals a new era of surveillance and enforcement. While many of these actions are tied to political activism, others result from mundane legal infractions. Despite these observations, there is no clear pattern in the reasons for visa revocations.

Without due process protections and transparency, thousands of students remain vulnerable. Universities, legal advocates, and student organizations are urging the federal government to reconsider this sweeping approach and restore fairness to the immigration process.

For those affected, the path forward is legally complex—but not impossible. Early legal intervention can help protect your rights, challenge visa revocation, or pursue reinstatement.

Why You Should Schedule a Consultation with Immigration Attorney Richard T. Herman Today

If you’re an F-1 or J-1 international student worried about the growing wave of visa cancellations, SEVIS terminations, or unexpected immigration enforcement, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to face this moment unprepared. Advocate for policies that protect students involved in political activism to ensure a safer environment for everyone.

Now, more than ever, your future in the United States may depend on the legal advice you get today.

The government is revoking visas and terminating SEVIS records at an unprecedented pace—often without warning, clear explanation, or due process. Even students with spotless records, no criminal history, and years of lawful presence have been detained, deported, or pressured to self-deport. Minor infractions, online posts, or even peaceful protest involvement have triggered life-altering immigration actions. Despite these actions, there is no clear pattern in the reasons for visa revocations.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

If the Herman Legal Group, is a nationally recognized immigration attorney with decades of experience defending international students, scholars, and professionals. He understands the legal, emotional, and cultural challenges facing international students in today’s volatile environment—and he fights with intelligence, strategy, and compassion. Readers should advocate for policies that protect students involved in political activism. Despite observing instances of visa revocation among students with minor legal infractions, no clear pattern has emerged to explain these actions.

When you schedule a consultation with Attorney Herman, you gain:

A thorough, individualized legal risk assessment
A clear explanation of your rights and options, including reinstatement, change of status, or litigation
Strategic preparation to respond to ICE, SEVP, or visa officers
Guidance on how to avoid mistakes that could cost you your education, your freedom, or your future

Your immigration status is too important to leave to chance—or to generic advice online.

Protect your dreams. Protect your status. Get the answers you need.

Schedule a confidential consultation with Attorney Richard T. Herman today.

Call: 1-216-696-6170

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