Recent reports show that several international students at Cornell and Binghamton University have faced visa revocations. Across the United States, more than a thousand international students have reportedly experienced similar changes in their visa status, according to Inside Higher Ed.
Some of these students, like Tufts University doctoral candidate Rumeysa Ozturk, are currently in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers. At Binghamton University, at least five students have had their visas revoked, prompting support from the university’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services. Spokesperson Ryan Yarosh stated they are working closely with the affected students to provide legal assistance.
As of April 9, 21 students in the State University of New York (SUNY) system have faced similar visa status changes. However, SUNY officials clarified that they have not received requests for information from federal authorities regarding these changes.
At Cornell, a "small number" of students have had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System records terminated, but specific numbers haven’t been disclosed. A recent announcement indicated that most international students remain unaffected, although the reasons behind these visa terminations are often unclear.
This situation follows the revocation of the visa of Momodou Taal, an international graduate student and Palestinian rights activist, who had been involved in a lawsuit concerning free speech rights. While ICE agents planned to detain him, Taal left the U.S. voluntarily last month, ending his lawsuit.
The overall landscape for international students in the U.S. has been tense, particularly since changes to visa policies have become more common in recent years. In a survey conducted by the Institute of International Education, it was reported that 2022 witnessed a decline in new international student enrollments for the first time in a decade. Expert opinions suggest that such visa changes might deter prospective students from considering U.S. institutions.
As discussions continue on social media, many students express concern and uncertainty about their future. This trend highlights the vital role that international students play in U.S. higher education and the need for clarity and fairness in visa processes.
For more information on current issues affecting international students, visit Inside Higher Ed for the latest updates.
Check out this related article: Heartbreaking Loss: Cardinals Fall to Frostburg State in MEC North Weekend Showdown – Wheeling University Athletics
Source link