Nearly 40 international students in the United States recently had their visas unexpectedly revoked.
According to experts and advocates, the U.S. government made this decision based on minor infractions such as traffic violations.
Many believe this action is part of a broader effort by Donald Trump’s administration to tighten immigration control and increase scrutiny on universities.
The move has taken students by surprise, leaving them anxious and uncertain about their future.
One student affected, Lisa from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, said she was only a month away from graduating when she received an unexpected email, according to The Guardian UK.
“ISS is writing to inform you that your SEVIS record was terminated,” the message read. SEVIS refers to the “Student and Exchange Visitor Information System,” which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Initially, Lisa assumed the email was a scam. But after checking online forums and researching, she discovered she was now “out of status,” similar to numerous other international students.
The cause? A minor traffic offense from the previous year. Lisa had received two tickets and had been fingerprinted during her court appearance.
Typically, after a student’s SEVIS record is terminated, they are allowed only 15 days to leave the country. Staying beyond that can result in deportation or being barred from reentry.
Students from institutions like Stanford, UCLA, UC San Diego, Ohio State, and the University of Oregon have also been impacted, The Guardian UK reports.
Many share similar experiences: minor traffic tickets, court appearances, fingerprinting—without any awareness that such incidents could affect their visa status.
Affected students compiled a shared spreadsheet, highlighting experiences from over 50 universities.
Even students whose charges were dropped or who committed no crimes were labeled with “criminal records” in their termination letters.
Most terminations occurred on April 4, shortly after a public statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 27.
“Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” Rubio stated, citing national security concerns.
Immigration lawyers have argued that this kind of mass action is highly unusual.
“Students weren’t given any chance to explain their situation,” said Shenqi Cai, an attorney at Lashine Law in California.
She noted that the terminations appeared to stem from automated screenings that failed to consider legal differences across states.
Cai added that around 90% of the impacted students had been fingerprinted, despite the minor or dismissed nature of the charges.
“Fingerprinting alone should not equate to a criminal record,” she clarified.
The consequences for students are severe.
David, a Chinese national participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, lost his work authorization immediately. Though his employer is attempting to relocate him to Canada, he has only 15 days to leave the U.S., posing a serious challenge.
Another affected student, Bill, was cited for driving with an expired license. His case remains unresolved in court. Now, he’s caught in a dilemma—he must appear in court but risks detention if he stays.
Universities have largely directed students to seek legal help. While some attorneys offer discounted services, costs remain high.
“The dust of history falls on me, and it becomes a mountain,” Bill reflected.
Amid the growing panic, over 300 students participated in an emergency Zoom session with federal immigration attorney Brad Banias.
“It’s not a legal move, it’s a political one,” Banias said during the call. “They’re criminalizing parking tickets.”
Lisa now faces an uncertain future. Her graduation, job prospects, and graduate school plans are all in jeopardy.
“Worst case, I don’t graduate. I go home and start college again. Four more years. And then what?” she asked.
This sudden visa crackdown has raised serious concerns. While it directly impacts students, it also reflects what many see as an intensifying focus on immigration and education by the Trump administration.
“This isn’t just about students,” Banias added. “It’s about the message the government is sending: that no one is safe.”
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