WASHINGTON (AP) — Recently, immigration attorneys have been overwhelmed with calls from international students in the U.S. Many are in turmoil after learning their legal status has been revoked without warning. Initially, a few students reached out each day, but now, hundreds are seeking help.
Matthew Maiona, a Boston immigration lawyer, shared that he’s received about six frantic calls daily from international students. “We thought it would be rare, but it’s happening rapidly,” he stated.
The situation has shocked many colleges nationwide. Reports indicate that at least 600 students across over 90 institutions have faced visa revocations recently. Advocacy groups believe that number could be even higher, estimating as many as 1,300 may have been affected.
Students Targeted for Minor Issues
In the previous year, approximately 1.1 million international students were enrolled in U.S. colleges, contributing significantly to tuition revenues. Most international students pay full tuition, as they can’t access federal financial aid.
Many affected students hail from India and China, which together represent more than half of the international student population in the U.S. However, the terminations are not restricted to these countries.
Several students have begun legal action after their F-1 status was abruptly terminated. Attorney Ramis Wadood, representing four students from Michigan, expressed concern over the lack of explanation provided by authorities for the terminations.
“Students received termination notices via email, which took them by surprise,” Wadood explained. While reasons cited included criminal background checks, none had significant criminal histories—some had only minor tickets, and one student had no violations at all.
A Shift in Enforcement Tactics
In a notable change, the federal government is directly terminating students’ legal statuses. Typically, colleges would notify the government when a student ceased enrollment, but now, students are finding out their status has changed through government databases.
Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, an association of international educators, remarked, “Even a few cases can create widespread fear among students. There’s no clarity on what’s happening.”
Students at risk of deportation often expect to receive notices to appear in court, but many cite that they have received no such notifications. Some institutions have advised students to leave the country to avoid detention—though others have chosen to remain and challenge their terminations.
Broader Context and Personal Reactions
Many individuals are also impacted by similar policies after graduation through a program called “Optional Practical Training” (OPT). This allows international graduates to work in their fields for up to three years post-graduation while awaiting further visa opportunities. Currently, around 242,000 foreign workers are in the U.S. through OPT, with many relying on it to build their careers.
Among those filing lawsuits is a Ph.D. student from Georgia Tech. He eagerly anticipated graduation but faced termination due to an old traffic fine. His attorney, Charles Kuck, noted that countless other students are in the same precarious situation. “These are young individuals fully engaged in their education, suddenly facing dismissal,” Kuck explained.
Students are adapting their daily lives to navigate this uncertainty. One Ph.D. student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill mentioned she carries her immigration documents everywhere, as advised by her college. This heightened anxiety comes not only from the fear of legal issues but the overall unpredictability of enforcement actions.
“It’s terrifying, not knowing if you’ll be next,” she shared, emphasizing the chilling effect these developments have on her and her peers.
This situation highlights a growing concern about the treatment of international students in the U.S. It reflects broader trends on how immigration policies can abruptly affect lives and educational pursuits, impacting students’ futures and the institution’s international image.
For further details on related policies and implications, you can refer to reports from the Department of Homeland Security and insights from NAFSA or other educational associations.
Check out this related article: Texas House Democrats Leverage GOP Agenda to Demand Vote on Statewide School Vouchers
Source linkColleges and universities, Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Schools, Associated Press, China, Boston, Michigan, General news, GA State Wire, MA State Wire, MI State Wire, NC State Wire, NH State Wire, AP Top News, U.S. Department of State, Education, Politics, Matthew Maiona, World news, Charles Kuck, U.S. news, Science, Technology, Washington news, Business, U.S. News, Washington News, World News
