US Starts Cancelling Student Visas Without Warning

International students across the US are facing sudden deportation threats as the Trump administration begins cancelling student visas without prior notice or explanation.

Universities report a sharp rise in SEVIS terminations—the federal system that tracks student visa status—leaving students and institutions stunned.

Many students receive abrupt emails stating their SEVIS records have been revoked. College officials say they were not informed beforehand, creating confusion and panic.

At Minnesota State University, five international students were impacted, with university staff discovering the issue only after a Turkish student at another campus was detained. In some cases, minor traffic violations were cited, while others had no known offenses.

Visa cancellations have also hit students at major institutions like Cornell, Arizona State, University of Texas, and North Carolina State. Some were even detained before universities received official updates.

Rajiv Khanna, an immigration attorney, said visa revocations are happening under vague legal justifications, including a clause citing “foreign policy consequences.” He criticised the lack of due process and transparency.

UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes called the sudden cancellations “alarming,” saying they harm the US’s global reputation in education. With little clarity from federal agencies, universities are now scrambling to support affected students facing forced exits or legal battles.