Mass Student Visa Crackdown: 1,000+ Face US Deportation Crisis

Over 1,024 student visa holders at 160 American colleges and universities have had their legal status abruptly terminated since March, creating an unprecedented deportation crisis. The sweeping visa revocations have particularly affected students from India and China, who represent more than half of the 1.1 million international students in the United States. As a result, hundreds of scholars from prestigious institutions like Harvard and Stanford now face the risk of detention and deportation, often for minor infractions or without clear justification. This sudden crackdown has sent shockwaves through academic institutions that rely significantly on international students, who serve as a vital source of revenue for tuition-driven colleges. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security’s actions have sparked multiple lawsuits challenging the legal basis of these visa terminations, highlighting growing concerns about due process violations in the enforcement of immigration policies.

Government revokes 1,000+ student visas without warning

International students across American universities have faced a sudden immigration crisis as the federal government revoked over 1,550 student visas without prior notification. The terminations began in late March 2025, marking an unprecedented shift in federal immigration enforcement that has left both students and institutions scrambling for answers.

Scope of the crackdown

The Department of Homeland Security’s sweeping action has affected students at more than 240 colleges and universities nationwide. This figure far exceeds Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s initial public estimate of approximately 300 students. Prestigious institutions including Harvard, Stanford, University of Michigan, and Ohio State University have confirmed students among those affected.

The visa cancelations primarily target those holding F-1 and J-1 student visas, with the Trump administration specifically intensifying scrutiny on international students. The 2024 fiscal year had already seen a dramatic increase in student visa application denials, with 41% of international applications rejected—a ten-year high that nearly doubled the rejection rate from 2014.

For Indian students specifically, the impact has been substantial. The number of Indian students in the United States has declined by 12.9% under the current administration, dropping from 234,473 in 2023 to 204,058 in 2024. This decline stems from several factors:

• Stricter visa regulations
• Higher tuition costs due to Indian rupee depreciation
• Policy uncertainties, including potential elimination of Optional Practical Training

The visa revocation program appears to be part of a broader immigration policy shift that has triggered lawsuits from states, students, and the American Civil Liberties Union. Secretary Rubio has alleged that some students sought entrance to the U.S. “not just to study but to participate in movements that vandalize universities, harass students, take over buildings and cause chaos”. However, documentation supporting these claims for most affected students remains notably absent.

Initial discovery by universities

Most striking about the visa terminations is how they came to light. Universities were not directly informed by federal authorities about these major status changes. Instead, campus officials discovered the revocations during routine checks of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the federal database that tracks international students.

The University of Washington provides a telling example of how institutions learned about the situation. During standard database monitoring, university staff identified 23 affected individuals—13 current students and 10 recent graduates in post-graduation training programs—whose F-1 visas had been unexpectedly revoked. Consequently, the university now conducts daily checks of the SEVIS system to identify any new terminations and promptly contact affected students.

In many cases, the SEVIS records indicated only that visa revocations were due to “immigration status violations” without providing specific details. Middle Tennessee State University reported having “no details” about why six of its international students lost their visa status. Similarly, the University of Oregon discovered four students had visa status revoked over unspecified criminal charges that were never communicated to the university.

The lack of transparency has created confusion and anxiety throughout academic communities. Moreover, the terminations occurred mid-semester, leaving many students with no clear path forward. University officials expressed concern that these actions could damage America’s global reputation as a welcoming destination for higher education.

At least 16 legal challenges have been filed against these visa terminations, with affected students arguing the actions are “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and not otherwise in accordance with law and the Constitution”. Meanwhile, higher education leaders worry the crackdown could discourage international talent from choosing American universities, further accelerating the declining enrollment trends already observed.

DHS terminates legal status through SEVIS database

The Department of Homeland Security relies primarily on a centralized database system to track, manage, and terminate the legal status of international students in the United States. This digital infrastructure has become the epicenter of the current deportation crisis affecting more than 1,000 F-1 visa holders nationwide.

How SEVIS works

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) functions as the web-based platform that the Department of Homeland Security uses to maintain comprehensive records on foreign students and academic institutions. Operated under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), this system tracks and monitors F-1, M-1, and J-1 nonimmigrants throughout their entire educational journey in the United States.

SEVIS serves multiple critical functions:

• It allows academic institutions to petition for certification to issue Forms I-20 to prospective international students
• It enables designated school officials to fulfill legal reporting responsibilities regarding student addresses, courses of study, and compliance with visa terms
• It provides a mechanism for transferring student records between institutions
• It automatically terminates student records based on specific triggers, including decisions from US Citizenship and Immigration Services

Furthermore, the system connects various federal agencies, including the Department of State, US Customs and Border Protection, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This interconnection facilitates information sharing among agencies with “need to know” status regarding international students.

SEVIS can automatically terminate a student’s record for various reasons. When this happens, the system applies specific termination codes that should, in theory, explain why the student’s status was revoked. For instance, if USCIS approves a student’s change to another status or permanent residency, SEVIS will note this termination reason.

Why schools were caught off guard

Academic institutions discovered the mass visa terminations not through direct government notification but rather through routine checks of the SEVIS database. Texas A&M spokesperson Megan Lacy confirmed that 23 international students had their SEVIS records terminated, explaining that “A SEVIS record termination essentially terminates the individual’s legal status in the country”.

Essentially, universities were left to discover these critical status changes by accident. The University of Texas at Austin similarly reported that “multiple” foreign students had their immigration status changed in recent days without prior notification. This lack of communication created a crisis situation where both students and universities were blindsided by the sudden enforcement action.

In addition to the absence of notification, schools found minimal information about the reasons for terminations. In many cases, SEVIS records simply indicated “immigration status violations” without providing specific details about the alleged infractions. This opacity prevented universities from effectively advising affected students or challenging potentially erroneous terminations.

Consequently, the situation has sparked at least 16 legal challenges, with students arguing that the terminations are “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and not otherwise in accordance with law and the Constitution”. Federal judges in states like Montana have granted temporary restraining orders to protect students from immediate removal while legal proceedings continue.

Given these circumstances, many universities have taken proactive steps, including providing legal resources and engaging with federal officials. George Mason University, for example, has contacted federal authorities seeking to understand the rationale behind visa terminations while exploring legal options to support affected students.

State Department cites national interest for visa revocations

Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly declared that the federal government has revoked visas of foreign nationals based on “national interest” concerns, although the criteria behind these decisions remain largely unclear to both students and universities.

Rubio’s statement on visa policy

In March 2025, Secretary Rubio confirmed that the State Department had revoked more than 300 visas, with the majority being student visas. Rubio has consistently maintained that foreign visitors should not engage in activities he deems disruptive:

“They’re here to go to class. They’re not here to lead activist movements that are disruptive and undermine our universities,” Rubio stated.

According to Rubio, the visa revocations specifically target individuals who he claims are “acting counter to national interests,” including those who allegedly protested Israel’s war in Gaza and those facing criminal charges. Nevertheless, many affected students insist they don’t fall into either category.

In a Fox News op-ed, Rubio emphasized that visa holders cannot use First Amendment protections as a shield for actions the government considers impermissible, especially those linked to support for designated foreign terrorist organizations. He also introduced a stringent view on visa privileges: “Visa holders must prove themselves worthy of being allowed to remain in the US every single day”.

The State Department’s actions align with President Trump’s executive orders signed nine weeks earlier that initiated a campaign to deport foreign citizens, including those who might have “hostile attitudes” toward American “citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles”.

Lack of transparency in criteria

Throughout the crackdown, a consistent pattern of opacity has emerged regarding the specific reasons for visa revocations. Despite Rubio’s public statements, the actual criteria being applied appear inconsistent and often unclear.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) conducted a survey studying 327 responses out of an estimated 4,000+ revocation notices and found that half had gone to Indians. When questioned about targeting Indians specifically, an American official denied the process was discriminatory, stating: “Continuous vetting and visa revocation actions are not limited to visa holders from any specific country or area in the world”.

Alarmingly, according to the State Department cable sent to diplomatic missions on March 25, Rubio ordered diplomats overseas to scrutinize social media content of certain visa applicants, presumably to identify those criticizing the United States or Israel. This directive coincides with the launch of a new AI-assisted “Catch and Revoke” program designed to identify students believed to have political views that conflict with U.S. foreign policy interests based on their social media posts.

Faculty members at various institutions have expressed concern about the arbitrary nature of these revocations. Andrea Liu, a physics professor, noted that the revocations “raise serious questions about due process” and were delivered without “a reason”. Similarly, Professor Vaughan stated, “It’s clear that many [student visas] are being revoked for ideological reasons. That is, at best, unlawful — if not just outright illegal”.

The lack of clarity has generated fear within international student communities. As one university official noted, “You don’t need more than a small number to create fear. There’s no clarity of what are the reasons and how far the reach of this is”.

Students face deportation over minor infractions

Many international students have found themselves caught in deportation proceedings following minor infractions that historically would not have led to visa revocations. The recent policy shift represents an unprecedented level of scrutiny applied to F-1 visa holders across the United States.

Examples of traffic violations

Traffic infractions constitute the majority of cases triggering visa terminations. Immigration lawyers report that students have had their legal status revoked for:

• Speeding tickets, including cases where students drove just slightly above the limit (80 mph in a 70 mph zone)
• Shifting lanes improperly while driving
• Jumping traffic signals
• Driving with a learner’s permit without a licensed adult present
• Operating a vehicle with an International Driving License deemed invalid in certain states
• Driving with expired registration
• Failing to maintain proper lane discipline

One Texas-based immigration attorney handling approximately 30 similar cases noted, “Revoking SEVIS for offenses like drinking and driving, shifting lanes or over-speeding is extremely rare”. Indeed, students from Hyderabad reported infractions dating back several months or even years, for which they had already completed all legal requirements.

In one case, an Indian student working on a contract basis under Optional Practical Training explained, “I got a ticket for over-speeding two years ago in New York. I was driving at a little over 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. I paid a nominal fine and visited a police station, and that was it. I was never arrested”. Nonetheless, the student subsequently received deportation orders.

Likewise, a 27-year-old Columbian student studying food and resource economics at the University of Florida was arrested for driving with an expired license and registration. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials immediately began deportation proceedings. Following his transfer to a deportation facility in Jacksonville, Florida, there had been no further communication about his status.

No criminal charges in most cases

Thereupon, a striking pattern emerges across these cases: most affected students face no actual criminal charges, or courts had already dismissed their cases. Attorney Charles Kuck cited “case after case after case exactly like that, where there is no underlying crime”.

In one instance, Kuck represented a student targeted for termination because of an unpaid traffic fine from when the student lent his car to a friend—a violation that courts had ultimately dismissed. Alongside traffic violations, other minor infractions prompting visa revocations include:

• Shoplifting of low-value items, even when charges were dismissed
• An identity theft victim who reported the crime and was proven innocent in court
• A minor accident while driving with a learner’s permit, where the student followed all legal procedures
• A domestic violence accusation that courts withdrew and found the student not guilty

Hitherto, such incidents rarely impacted visa status. As immigration lawyer Chand Paravathneni stated, “Some of these cases involve offenses like jumping a traffic signal or failing to have a licensed driver in the passenger seat while on a learner’s permit. All these are petty crimes and are usually dismissed after following certain formalities. We have hardly seen anyone’s SEVIS being revoked due to such crimes in the past”.

Altogether, the enforcement approach raises significant legal questions. Even students absolved of wrongdoing remain targets—such as one who explained, “I forgot to scan items worth INR 12150.78 at Walmart in Delta, Texas in July 2023. But they gave me a warning and the case was dismissed within a month on the grounds of my good academic performances and because it was my first offense”. Despite following all legal requirements, the student was ordered to self-deport.

Universities confirm mass visa terminations

Academic institutions across the United States have begun tracking and publicly reporting student visa terminations, providing concrete evidence of the scale and impact of the federal government’s immigration enforcement actions.

Statements from Harvard, Stanford, and others

Numerous prestigious universities have confirmed students and recent graduates affected by visa revocations. Harvard University reported that three current students and two recent graduates had their student visas terminated. Stanford University similarly discovered six students with revoked visas during “a routine check of the SEVIS database.” Arizona State University identified at least eight affected students, while the University of Colorado confirmed two students impacted by these actions.

Throughout the country, institutions have documented similar patterns:

• Minnesota State University: Five students affected
• North Carolina State: Two international students faced visa revocations
• Central Michigan University: Four current and former students impacted
• UMass Amherst: Five students had visas revoked
• University of Michigan: Four international students affected
• Colorado State University: Six students reported
• Ohio State University: Five individuals impacted
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas: Four students affected

Markedly, these numbers represent only officially confirmed cases. The University of California system—including UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UC Irvine—acknowledged impacts but has not yet provided specific figures. Several institutions, including the University of Cincinnati and University of Kentucky, have reported a “small number” of affected students without specifying exact counts.

Presently, universities find themselves in the unprecedented position of discovering these critical legal status changes without formal notification. “The University learned of the revocations during a routine check of the SEVIS database,” Stanford stated on April 4. “The university learned of six students who had their student visas revoked,” the institution confirmed in another statement.

Impact on academic programs

The sudden visa terminations have severely disrupted academic operations at universities nationwide. Primarily, the crisis has prompted some institutions to cancel study abroad programs scheduled for summer 2025. In Massachusetts, at least one school has completely canceled such programs due to concerns about re-entry for international students.

Universities have quickly modified their guidance to international students in response. Many institutions now recommend students “carry their immigration documents with them at all times” and have advised international students against leaving the country unless absolutely necessary. “It’s just a lot of anxiety and uncertainty and fear at a time when you know midterms and finals are not that far down the road, and students are trying to study and graduate,” explained Kalpen Trivedi, vice provost of global affairs at UMass Amherst.

The crisis threatens to damage America’s reputation as a destination for global education. Suzanne Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools, noted, “I think it sends a powerful signal to friends and family at home that the U.S. is not a safe place to be anymore.” This perception could ultimately devastate many American colleges and universities that depend on international enrollment.

Several institutions have responded by strengthening support services for affected students. Universities now proactively monitor SEVIS records daily to identify new terminations quickly. Javier Reyes, Chancellor of UMass Amherst, expressed alarm, stating: “The abrupt cancelation of SEVIS records without warning or due process is alarming and contrary to our shared values. International students deserve transparency, fairness, and the opportunity to respond.”

Legal experts challenge due process violations

In response to the unprecedented immigration enforcement against international students, civil liberties organizations have launched major legal challenges across the United States, arguing that the federal government’s actions constitute significant violations of constitutional protections.

ACLU lawsuits in multiple states

The American Civil Liberties Union has mounted a coordinated legal response, filing a federal class action lawsuit representing over 100 students across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico who had their F-1 student status abruptly terminated without explanation. The lawsuit specifically seeks reinstatement of these students’ legal status, allowing them to continue their education.

“We continue to be alarmed by the Trump administration’s sudden termination of student statuses at universities across the country without any notice or stated explanation,” said Gilles Bissonnette, Legal Director of the ACLU of New Hampshire.

The legal challenges highlight serious constitutional concerns. According to the ACLU’s filings, these terminations have “severely disrupted the educational opportunities of these students who are in the middle of their studies (and in the middle of a semester).” Moreover, the lawsuits argue that the government is legally required to provide advance notice and a meaningful opportunity to respond before revoking student status.

In Michigan, four students from two universities have filed suit after their F-1 status was terminated without explanation. Their ACLU attorney, Ramis Wadood, confirmed the students never received a clear reason for the government’s actions.

Concurrently, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) released findings showing that Indian students comprise nearly 50% of all reported visa cancelation cases, raising questions about potential targeting.

Temporary restraining orders granted

Throughout April, federal judges have increasingly intervened to halt deportations while legal challenges proceed. In New Hampshire, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order reinstating the status of Xiaotian Liu, a Ph.D. student at Dartmouth College, while his case moves forward.

Similarly, U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen in Montana temporarily blocked the Department of Homeland Security from revoking the visas of two international students at Montana State University. In his strongly worded order, Christensen stated that the termination of the visas violated the Constitution’s guarantee of due process.

The judge found it “compelling that plaintiffs have not been convicted of any crime while in the United States” and concluded they were likely to succeed in proving the government’s actions were “arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, contrary to constitutional right, contrary to law, and in excess of statutory jurisdiction.”

Most recently, another federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the deportation of over 100 international students who had filed a lawsuit challenging their visa revocations. This ruling temporarily reinstates the students’ legal status while their case proceeds, with another hearing scheduled for April 24.

Steven Brown, Executive Director of the ACLU of Rhode Island, called the government’s actions “a blatant violation of due process,” noting that multiple students at Brown University and RISD had their status revoked without explanation.

ICE detains students without prior notice

Plain-clothes federal agents have begun apprehending international students in unmarked vehicles without prior warning, creating a wave of fear across university campuses nationwide. These operations typically occur at students’ residences, workplaces, or even during routine activities.

Cases of surprise detentions

Several high-profile detentions have been captured on video, exposing a pattern of abrupt enforcement actions. At Columbia University, student protest organizer Mahmoud Khalil was arrested at his New York home and transported to a detention facility in Louisiana. Soon thereafter, fellow Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi was detained in Vermont while attending an interview for U.S. citizenship.

In other cases:

• Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow, was seized by federal agents outside his Virginia home
• Rümeysa Öztürk was intercepted while headed to a Ramadan dinner celebration, shown on video “confused and shaking in fear”
• Hoque, a Bangladeshi student at Minnesota State University, was followed by vehicles that “began aggressively following me, even cutting in front of other traffic to stay behind me”

Upon detention, students report being handcuffed and sometimes chained around the waist before transfer to detention facilities. Hoque stated agents “did not show me any warrant, badge or visa revocation papers.”

Legal ambiguity in enforcement

Immigration detention operates in a constitutionally murky zone. Whereas the government has an affirmative constitutional duty to meet the “basic human needs” of people it confines, evidently many detention facilities fail to uphold these standards.

The legal framework surrounding these detentions has created significant confusion. One detained student had their bond approved by an immigration judge who ruled they were “not a danger,” yet straightaway the Department of Homeland Security imposed a stay on the bond order, forcing continued detention.

Faculty members have responded to these enforcement actions by offering spare rooms to vulnerable students. At Georgetown University, professors have opened their homes to students who fear being visited by immigration agents at their residences.

This enforcement approach has generated profound anxiety. One Texas student admitted, “I’m scared to be out. I’m scared to come to school. I’m scared to go grocery shopping.”

F-1 student visa holders lose status mid-semester

The technicalities of student visa administration have become central to the ongoing crisis as thousands of international students discovered their legal presence in the United States terminated without warning. Unlike previous enforcement actions, these revocations have occurred mid-semester, creating unprecedented academic and personal disruptions.

How F-1 visas function

The F-1 student visa permits foreign nationals to enter the United States as full-time students at accredited educational institutions. Unlike many visas, the F-1 operates through a dual system: the visa stamp serves only as an entry document, whereas legal status depends on maintaining specific requirements through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). To maintain valid F-1 status, students must:

• Remain in good standing with their academic program
• Maintain full-time enrollment
• Secure sufficient financial support
• Comply with work restrictions (generally limited off-campus employment)

F-1 visa holders typically have 60 days after completing their program to depart the country. Regarding employment, students cannot work off-campus during their first academic year but may later participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT) related to their field of study.

Consequences of mid-term revocation

Currently, when SEVIS records are terminated, students lose legal status immediately, representing a dramatic policy shift. Previously, students with revoked visas could maintain their legal residency status and complete their studies, with revocation only limiting their ability to reenter after traveling abroad.

According to analysis by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, 50% of reported revocation cases involved Indian students, followed by students from China, South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Additionally, 50% of affected students were on OPT, meaning they had already graduated and were employed in the United States.

Critically, only 57% of students reported receiving any notice of their visa revocation. Many discovered their status change only after proactively contacting authorities or when their universities informed them. As a direct result, several students have already left the country, abandoning their studies or employment to avoid potential arrest.

Optional Practical Training students also affected

The current visa revocation crisis has severely impacted F-1 visa holders participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), with data revealing they represent half of all affected students. This targeted enforcement specifically destabilizes graduates who had already secured employment opportunities in the United States.

Definition of OPT

Optional Practical Training authorizes international students on F-1 visas to gain temporary employment directly related to their field of study. The program initially allows all eligible graduates to work for 12 months post-completion of their degree. STEM graduates can receive an additional 24-month extension if employed by E-Verify participating companies, potentially providing up to three years of legal work authorization. Currently, OPT participants must work at least 20 hours weekly, either paid or unpaid.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, approximately 97,556 Indian students participated in the OPT program. Overall, 276,452 students received post-completion OPT authorization in fiscal year 2023, primarily in technology, engineering, and business fields. Most participants hold master’s degrees and work for universities, healthcare providers, financial institutions, and technology companies.

Impact on post-graduation employment

The abrupt termination of SEVIS records has created uniquely devastating consequences for OPT participants. Unlike enrolled students, reinstating status post-graduation is “significantly more challenging” according to legal experts. Once an OPT participant’s SEVIS record is terminated, their work authorization immediately ends and becomes “nearly impossible to recover”.

At the same time, proposed legislation threatens the program’s future entirely. The “Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025” seeks to eliminate OPT unless Congress explicitly authorizes it. If passed, international graduates would lose their right to work in America after completing their studies.

For many Indian OPT participants, visa revocations create severe financial hardship as they often rely on U.S. employment to repay substantial student loans. These unexpected terminations occur without options to transition to alternative work visas. The situation has triggered widespread anxiety throughout international student communities, with many now questioning whether pursuing education in the United States remains worthwhile.

Courts issue emergency orders to halt deportations

Federal judges across the country have begun intervening in the deportation crisis, issuing emergency orders to protect international students from immediate removal. These judicial actions represent the first successful legal pushback against what many consider unprecedented immigration enforcement.

Dartmouth and Wisconsin rulings

Dartmouth College became the site of a landmark ruling when the ACLU of New Hampshire filed suit on behalf of PhD student Xiaotian Liu, whose F-1 status was terminated without explanation. The lawsuit highlighted that Liu “had never committed a crime or traffic violation and had never participated in any protest in the United States or elsewhere.”

A federal judge in New Hampshire granted Liu’s request for a temporary restraining order, effectively restoring his student status while legal proceedings continue. The court found merit in arguments that terminating his status without advance notice violated constitutional due process rights.

Shortly thereafter, a similar ruling emerged from Wisconsin, where another federal judge blocked the government from detaining or revoking the visa of a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student. This decision established a pattern of judicial skepticism toward the government’s enforcement approach.

Legal precedents being set

As cases multiply, courts are establishing important legal standards. Montana saw two graduate students from Montana State University granted temporary protection by a federal judge who restored their terminated legal status and shielded them from removal efforts.

Currently, these rulings collectively challenge the government’s position that it can terminate a student’s SEVIS record without providing specific grounds for revocation. Judges have repeatedly emphasized that the government “is required to have grounds in order to terminate a student status, and that revocation of an F-1 visa is not sufficient ground.”

Granted that many cases remain pending, these initial rulings suggest courts may broadly reject the termination of F-1 status without proper notification or justification. First, judges are recognizing that mere visa revocation doesn’t automatically terminate a student’s legal status. Second, they’re affirming that students deserve advance notice and opportunity to respond before such consequential actions occur.

The legal precedents emerging from these cases could potentially reshape how immigration authorities interact with the over one million international students currently studying in the United States on F-1 visas.