1.1 million international students studied in the United States during the 2023-24 academic year, according to a recent report released by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of Education. Two of the top five largest host schools for international students are located in New York City — NYU came in at #1 and Columbia University ranked third. However, over the last several weeks, the Trump administration’s move to attack universities and deport hundreds of international students here on visas has led to widespread panic, in New York and elsewhere.
While recent reports indicate that the U.S. government is reversing the termination of some student visas following a wave of court challenges against the Trump administration’s crackdown, we recognize that this remains an overwhelming and uncertain situation for many. We also know that knowledge is power, so we teamed up with Immigrant ARC (I-ARC), a network of legal advocates and an institute for immigration law training and policy, to break down some of your biggest questions about student visa revocations, terminations and your security in the United States.
What are the reasons my visa might be revoked?
The U.S. Department of State has broad discretion to revoke visas. Historically, international students could lose their legal status in the U.S. if they violated the terms of their F-1 visa — this could include things such as failing to maintain full-time enrollment, working off-campus during their first year, lacking sufficient financial support, or failing to keep a permanent residence abroad.
Visas can also be revoked for more serious reasons, including criminal activity, national security concerns, misrepresentation, or fraud.
Today however, the State Department is targeting students who it says came to the U.S. “not just to study but to participate in movements that vandalize universities, harass students, take over buildings, and cause chaos.” College officials report however, that several affected students were neither involved in campus demonstrations nor considered activists.
Some universities also report that students have had their visas revoked over minor or past offenses—such as traffic violations, underage drinking, or trespassing — even in cases that were later dismissed.
I’m an international student and my visa was revoked or terminated. What should I do?
If your visa has been revoked or terminated, you may be eligible to request a reinstatement of your status. If you’re looking for an immigration attorney to assist with your case, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is a great resource — you can even search for the exact kind of lawyer you need right here.
Side note: if you leave the U.S. before you hit 180 days of unlawful presence, you may still be able to reapply and reenter the United States.
Does my political speech put me at risk of immigration enforcement?
It depends. Visa holders do not enjoy the same freedom of speech protections as U.S. citizens. If you’re a student inside the U.S. and are worried about your visa, you need to know that the U.S. State Department can revoke a visa at any time for reasons related to national interest or criminal concerns.
It’s important to remember that your student visa is merely a travel document; your actual immigration status is governed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE has the authority to access the SEVIS system and terminate a student’s status at any time.
Will a previous encounter with law enforcement be an issue when I try to enter the U.S. or reapply for a visa?
It’s possible. For students outside the U.S. any interaction with law enforcement, regardless of whether it resulted in a conviction, can raise concerns when you seek to enter the United States or apply for a new visa.
Important to note: The passage of time does not necessarily matter. If you have had any prior encounters with law enforcement, whether it was long ago or not, we strongly recommend consulting with an immigration attorney before making any travel plans.
What is the difference between student visa termination and cancellation?
A student visa termination occurs within the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a web-based database that tracks nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors (F-1 and J-1) in the United States. SEVIS is administered by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) under the Department of Homeland Security. Typically, a student’s SEVIS record is terminated by their university when the student has changed their status, withdrawn from their program, or failed to maintain lawful immigration status. However, in recent cases, SEVIS terminations have been initiated directly by the U.S. government rather than by universities.
A visa revocation, or cancellation, is carried out by the U.S. Department of State, which involves invalidating a previously issued visa stamp in an individual’s passport. Once revoked, the visa can no longer be used for entry into the United States, regardless of its expiration date. Students are generally notified of a visa revocation by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but universities are typically not informed.
Here’s a helpful chart, courtesy of Immigrant ARC:
What happens if I am placed in removal proceedings?
If a student’s visa is revoked, ICE can begin deportation proceedings under various provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The formal removal process, however, begins when ICE files a Notice to Appear (NTA) with immigration court. This document outlines the charges and legal basis for removal. The student then has the right to challenge these charges in court. ICE must prove the student is removable with “clear and convincing evidence.” If the government fails to meet that burden, the case should be dismissed.
If a student is found removable, they may still apply for relief — such as asylum or cancellation of removal. If no relief is granted, they may be ordered removed.
It’s important to note that these cases can move quickly and legal representation is essential, especially since many students may not know about options available to them. For more details, see the Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s Overview of the Deportation Process.
Has your visa been revoked? Consider getting involved.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is currently gathering information from individuals whose student visas have been revoked and whose SEVIS records have been terminated. The responses will be used to support AILA’s advocacy efforts on this issue.
If you’d like to contribute, you can complete this survey, many of the fields are optional. While AILA is leading this data collection effort, it’s important to understand that they do not offer direct legal representation, and filling out the form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Thank you to Immigrant ARC for the contribution to this resource guide. To learn more about the important work that Immigrant ARC does, check out their website.
