Minor Traffic Violations Could Get Your Student Visa Revoked

F1 visa holders across the United States face unprecedented scrutiny as minor infractions now threaten their immigration status. In a shocking development, at least 147 international students have lost their legal status due to minor offenses, including routine traffic violations and shoplifting incidents. While the US continues to welcome over 1.1 million international students annually, recent policy changes have dramatically altered the landscape for these students. In fact, violations that were previously overlooked are now triggering immediate visa cancelations, often without prior notice to students or their educational institutions.

As a result of these stricter enforcement measures, we’re witnessing a significant shift in how the Department of State handles student visas. The current administration has already revoked more than 300 visas under these new policies, marking a stark departure from traditional practices where only serious criminal convictions warranted such severe consequences. This heightened scrutiny affects all aspects of student life, from maintaining perfect driving records to ensuring flawless compliance with every immigration regulation.

US Government Intensifies F1 Visa Scrutiny for Minor Infractions

Image Source: The Economic Times

The Department of Homeland Security has dramatically intensified enforcement actions against international students, with dozens of Indian students receiving deportation notices for infractions that traditionally had minor immigration consequences. According to reports, at least 147 international students have been abruptly stripped of their ability to stay in the United States for offenses that would previously rarely result in such severe penalties.

Traffic Violations Now Trigger Immediate SEVIS Termination

Traffic violations have suddenly become grounds for immediate Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) termination. Students across major universities have had their records terminated for infractions such as:

• Speeding (including cases where students were driving just slightly over the limit)
• Driving without a licensed supervisor while on a learner’s permit
• Failing to stop at red lights
• Improper lane changes

Notably, many of these cases involve violations that occurred months or even years ago. One student from Hyderabad reported receiving a speeding ticket two years ago in New York for driving “a little over 80 mph in a 70 mph zone”. Despite paying the fine and completing all required formalities, the student now faces deportation.

Immigration attorneys handling these cases point out that “revoking SEVIS for offenses like drinking and driving, shifting lanes or over-speeding is extremely rare”. A Texas-based lawyer currently managing approximately 30 similar cases emphasized that SEVIS terminations for such minor infractions have little historical precedent.

How Shoplifting and Alcohol Offenses Impact Student Status

Similarly, shoplifting and alcohol-related incidents now carry severe immigration consequences. A student in Texas who forgot to scan items worth $144 at Walmart in 2023 had his case dismissed considering his clean academic record and the fact it was a first offense—yet still faces deportation.

Alcohol violations, particularly DUIs, have become particularly problematic. The Department of State has established precedent for visa revocation even when charges were dropped, expunged, or reduced to lesser charges. Furthermore, authorities are not required to notify individuals when their visas are revoked—students often discover their changed status only when attempting to reenter the country.

When students receive termination notices, the consequences are immediate and severe. The notification emails explicitly state: “The termination of your SEVIS record means that you no longer have valid F-1 non-immigrant status… your Form I-20 is no longer valid. Your EAD [Employment Authorization Document] is no longer valid, and you no longer have authorization to work”.

This enforcement approach represents a significant shift from previous policies. Consequently, even minor infractions that were previously resolved through legal channels now carry potentially life-altering immigration consequences for international students studying in the United States.

DSOs Send Deportation Notices to Students Across Major Universities

Designated School Officials (DSOs) across major American universities have begun issuing deportation notices to international students, with terminations frequently occurring without prior warning. Initially discovered through routine record checks rather than direct notification from federal agencies, these cancelations have affected at least 147 students nationwide.

What the Termination Email Contains

Termination notifications sent by DSOs explicitly state that students’ SEVIS records have been invalidated, effectively ending their legal status in the United States. The emails contain stark language: “The termination of your SEVIS record means that you no longer have valid F-1 non-immigrant status. This means you are no longer lawfully allowed to stay in the US”. Additionally, these notices clarify that students’ Form I-20 documents and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are immediately invalidated, revoking all work permissions.

Why Past Resolved Cases Are Suddenly Resurfacing

Many terminations stem from infractions that occurred months or even years ago—cases students believed were resolved through proper legal channels. One student from Hyderabad received a deportation notice for a minor speeding violation from two years prior, for which he had already paid fines and completed all required procedures. Immigration attorneys note this represents an unprecedented shift in enforcement patterns. Consultants emphasize that although universities routinely warn international students about legal compliance during orientation, the revocation of SEVIS records for minor, previously resolved cases marks a significant departure from historical practices.

Which Universities Report Highest Revocation Rates

Several institutions have reported substantial numbers of affected students:

• Arizona State University: Approximately 50 students
• Northeastern University: 40 individuals (18 current students, 22 alumni)
• University of California System: Roughly 35 students across multiple campuses
• Harvard University: 3 current students and 2 recent graduates
• Minnesota State University: 5 enrolled students

Some universities have issued statements supporting affected students. UC Berkeley declared, “These actions create an uncertain and challenging environment for our campus community. Your university supports, without reservation, the right and ability of immigrant and international students, staff, and faculty to participate fully in the campus experience”.

Students Face Immediate Self-Deportation After F1 Visa Revocation

When an F1 visa is revoked, international students experience immediate consequences extending far beyond academic disruption. Recent cases show hundreds of students facing abrupt self-deportation orders for infractions ranging from traffic violations to minor shoplifting, effectively ending their educational journey in the United States.

Legal Status Implications When Your I-20 Is Invalidated

Following SEVIS record termination, a student’s I-20 form becomes immediately invalid, removing their legal permission to remain in the country. In essence, the student immediately loses lawful status in the United States. According to recent enforcement patterns, even students previously cleared by courts are not being spared from these actions. Legal options become severely limited once the I-20 is invalidated, though students technically may:

• Challenge the SEVIS termination through legal proceedings by hiring an immigration attorney
• Potentially transition to a different visa category (such as H-1B) if they secure employer sponsorship
• Complete remaining coursework online from their home country if permitted by their program

Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Termination Consequences

Once an F1 student visa is revoked, the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) automatically becomes void. Subsequently, all work authorization ceases immediately. As the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services states, “SEVP will inform USCIS of the termination date, and USCIS will terminate your EAD accordingly”. Working after EAD invalidation constitutes unauthorized employment, which carries serious repercussions including:

• Potential removal from the United States
• Possible reentry bars to the country
• Accrual of unlawful presence that could affect future visa applications

Timeline Requirements for Leaving the United States

Following visa revocation, students must make immediate arrangements for departure. The notification emails warn that “deportation can take place at a time that does not allow the person being deported to secure possessions or conclude affairs”. Under these circumstances, students should:

1. Gather all documentation including I-20s, visa stamps, and SEVIS records
2. Make travel arrangements promptly
3. Consider using the CBP Home App created for self-deportation
4. Present their passport to the U.S. embassy in their home country upon return

Immigration attorneys note that remaining in the U.S. without lawful status could ultimately lead to “fines, detention, and/or deportation” and might significantly impact eligibility for future U.S. visas.

Immigration Attorneys Challenge Unprecedented Enforcement Actions

Legal professionals across the nation have begun mounting challenges against what they describe as an unprecedented wave of F1 visa revocations. Immigration attorneys report receiving frantic calls from students whose legal status was terminated without clear justification or prior warning.

How Current Enforcement Differs From Historical Patterns

Immigration lawyers highlight several key differences between current and historical enforcement practices. Primarily, visa revocations now occur for infractions that rarely triggered such consequences before. “Criminal convictions have always put students at risk of losing their status, but participation in political actions and committing traffic infractions have rarely been cited as justifications,” noted multiple attorneys.

The current administration has implemented several novel enforcement mechanisms:

• AI-powered monitoring programs scanning social media content
• Retroactive enforcement of minor violations resolved years ago
• Visa terminations without providing specific reasons to students or schools

Lawyers emphasize the lack of transparency represents a fundamental shift. “This upends all usual practice by the government,” stated Miriam Feldblum, CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. “They are terminating students’ statuses in a way they have never done before and with virtually no explanation and little recourse to correct or appeal”.

Legal Options When Facing Visa Revocation

Students facing F1 student visa revocation have limited legal avenues. Certainly, hiring an immigration attorney remains the most immediate option, yet this approach comes with significant challenges:

1. Judicial challenge – Students can remain in the US and contest SEVIS termination through legal proceedings, but costs typically range between ₹8 lakh and ₹16 lakh (USD 10,000–20,000)

2. Group litigation – Joining existing lawsuits may offer a more affordable alternative, as evidenced by the American Civil Liberties Union’s recent complaint filed on behalf of Xiaotian Liu, a Chinese doctoral student

Immigration attorneys categorize cases by their likelihood of success:

• Strongest cases: Students with no legal violations or immigration breaches
• Moderate risk: Minor legal issues without charges or convictions
• High risk: Prior arrests, even with acquittals
• Weakest cases: Students with convictions, even after serving sentences

Nevertheless, legal experts caution that outcomes remain uncertain, as “federal courts often defer to administrative discretion in immigration matters”.

Conclusion

Recent changes in F1 visa enforcement mark a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy toward international students. Minor infractions that previously carried minimal consequences now trigger immediate visa revocations, affecting hundreds of students across major universities. Students face deportation for infractions as minor as speeding tickets or incorrect lane changes, even when these violations were resolved years ago.

Legal experts point to this enforcement pattern as unprecedented. Students caught in this situation face limited options, with legal challenges costing between $10,000 and $20,000. Therefore, maintaining perfect compliance with traffic laws and other regulations becomes crucial for international students hoping to complete their education in the United States.

Above all, these policy changes signal a fundamental transformation in how U.S. authorities approach student visa enforcement. Consequently, international students must exercise extreme caution in their daily activities, as even minor oversights could end their academic journey. This heightened scrutiny affects not just current students but also shapes the future landscape of international education in America.

The message stands clear – international students must maintain spotless records across all aspects of their stay, from perfect driving habits to complete immigration compliance. These developments serve as a stark reminder that the privilege of studying in the United States now demands unprecedented levels of vigilance and careful attention to rules at every level.