Concerns are growing among international students in the United States as cases of sudden visa cancellations continue to occur, with many facing deportation without clear explanations. Lawyers are warning that, in addition to political activities, students may also be targeted for minor legal violations, further increasing anxiety among international students. Reports have highlighted that Korean student in New York and New Jersey are particularly affected by these cancellations, with many being forced out of the U.S. unexpectedly.
Harvard University, one of the country’s most prestigious Ivy League institutions, revealed on the 6th that the visas of three undergraduate students and two recent graduates had been cancelled. This followed similar incidents at other universities, including Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Cornell University, the University of Texas, and the University of Minnesota, where numerous international students had their visas cancelled in the past two weeks.
The Associated Press reported on the 4th that the Trump administration seemed to have strengthened its crackdown on international students, noting that some students were being terminated from legal residency. The report also pointed out that, unlike in the past, the cancellations of student visas were being followed by immediate removal from the Student Visa Information System (SEVIS), which results in the immediate revocation of their legal residency status in the U.S.
Korean international students are particularly impacted by this issue. Many Korean immigration lawyers in the New York and New Jersey areas have reported an increase in consultations from students who are at risk of deportation due to recent visa cancellations. One Korean lawyer shared that, within just four days, two students came seeking legal advice after facing issues related to visa cancellations.
These visa cancellations have left many students confused and anxious. Lawyers mentioned that, in many cases, students were notified of their visa cancellations and SEVIS termination by their school authorities without being provided any clear explanation. For the affected students, this has created an unusual and stressful situation where they are suddenly forced to leave the U.S. and discontinue their studies, often with little understanding of why their visas were cancelled.
While some students have faced deportation due to political activities, such as supporting Palestine or engaging in protests, immigration lawyers warn that there could be other reasons behind the cancellations. These might include minor legal infractions or petty crimes that lead to visa revocation. The overall climate of uncertainty has left international students feeling increasingly vulnerable, as they face the possibility of deportation despite no clear connection to political or legal wrongdoing.