The US government has started revoking foreign student visas unexpectedly, without prior notice or explanation, according to university reports. These abrupt cancellations are carried out through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which tracks international students. As a result, students affected by the terminations are being forced to leave the country immediately, often without any clear reason, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and legal limbo.
Several universities across the United States are reporting a rise in these sudden SEVIS record cancellations. In most instances, schools only become aware of the revocation when students receive distressing emails stating that their SEVIS status has been terminated. Administrators have voiced concerns, noting that no formal communication or explanation is being provided by federal authorities, raising serious issues about transparency and fairness in the process.
Reports indicate that international student enrollment in the US dropped by 5% in August 2024, partly due to an exodus of around 90,000 Indian Master’s students. This shift in student demographics could result in a $5 billion annual loss in tuition revenue for US universities, as highlighted in a post by a social media user.
The impact of these visa revocations is already being felt at various universities. For instance, Minnesota State University, Mankato reported the revocation of visas for five international students under unclear circumstances. This came to light during an audit prompted by the detention of a Turkish student at the University of Minnesota, whose visa revocation was reportedly tied to a previous drunk driving conviction.
