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US Revokes 40 International Students Visas Over Traffic Offenses

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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.”

BIG STORY

Kogi University Lecturer Dies During Sex Romp In Hotel Room With 200-Level Student

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A senior lecturer at Kogi State University, Anyigba, named Dr. Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, reportedly died in a hotel room following a sexual encounter with a 22-year-old student in her second year.

It was reported that the event happened on Tuesday, July 15, and the police at Anyigba were alerted shortly after. The student involved was taken into custody for questioning.

The lecturer, known across the university for his strict approach, was allegedly infamous for taking advantage of female students in return for academic favours.

Sources claim Dr. Ibikunle, who was married with children, had booked a room in a hotel alongside the student, who is studying Social Studies Education.

According to those familiar with the situation, the lecturer consumed several energy drinks prior to the incident, presumably in anticipation of vigorous activity.

Unfortunately, the lecturer collapsed and passed away during the act.

The Kogi State Police Command verified the incident to SaharaReporters on Friday, labeling it as unfortunate.

In a statement to SaharaReporters, the Command’s spokesperson, SP William Ovye Aya, stated that the student had been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for deeper inquiry and potential charges.

Aya explained: “The report was received on July 16, but the unfortunate incident happened on July 15, 2025. It was the manager of the hotel (name not disclosed), named Moses Friday, who came to the police station at Anyigba and reported about his guest, the lecturer who had lodged in their facility with a 22-year-old 200-level student, 22 years old, named Gloria Samuel.

“According to the manager, the girl on that fateful day rushed to the reception and complained that the lecturer took her to the hotel, and after they had sex, the man slumped.

“So the manager rushed and informed the DPO, and the DPO rushed to the scene, and they moved the man to the hospital. On arrival, a doctor on duty confirmed the lecturer’s death.

“So the girl in question has been transferred from Anyigba Police Division to the State CID for further investigation and prosecution. An autopsy has been conducted, but right now I don’t know whether the result of the autopsy is out because I haven’t spoken with the SCID.”

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BIG STORY

FULL LIST: Tinubu Appoints IBB’s Son, Muhammad Babangida Chairman Bank Of Agriculture, Others As Heads Of Govt Agencies

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Muhammad Babangida, the son of the former military President, as chairman of the revamped Bank of Agriculture.

President Tinubu approved the appointment today, along with seven others. Some of them will serve as chairmen or directors-general of Federal agencies.

Muhammad Babangida, 53, is an alumnus of the European University in Montreux, Switzerland, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Business Communication. He later attended Harvard Business School’s Executive Program on Corporate Governance in 2002.

Others appointed by the President are:

Lydia Kalat Musa (Kaduna State) Chairman, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA).

Jamilu Wada Aliyu (Kano State) Chairman, National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

The Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa (Kano State) is the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) chairman.

Sanusi Musa (SAN, Kano State) is the Chairman of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution(IPCR).

Prof. Al-Mustapha Alhaji Aliyu (Sokoto State) is the Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA).

Sanusi Garba Rikiji (Zamfara State) is the Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN).

Mrs Tomi Somefun (Oyo State) is the Managing Director of the National Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC).

Dr Abdulmumini Mohammed Aminu-Zaria (Kaduna State) has been appointed Executive Director of the Nigerian Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC).

 

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

July 18, 2025

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BIG STORY

Buhari Never Wanted To Congratulate Saraki, Dogara After Emerging Senate President, Speaker — Femi Adesina

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Femi Adesina, who served as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, revealed that Buhari was initially unwilling to congratulate Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara after they controversially became Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2015.

Adesina shared this in a tribute to Buhari, reflecting on his early experience as the president’s media aide and the difficulty of balancing loyalty with professional duty.

He explained that the incident happened just nine days after he took up the role of presidential spokesman.

According to Adesina, Saraki and Dogara emerged as leaders of the National Assembly against the preference of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Although their emergence was viewed as defiant, it still adhered to constitutional norms.

“I told the President we needed to congratulate them. He balked. But I stood my ground. He said no, I also said no. I said it would portray him as undemocratic,” Adesina wrote.

He noted that Buhari later agreed to issue the statement, making only a small addition to the final version.

“At the end of the day, he reasoned with me and the statement was written, with him just adding one word,” he stated.

“Keeping to his word is part of the famed integrity. Argue with me. If you have a better point, I’ll agree with you.”

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