In a surprising move, the U.S. government has revoked the visas of 40 international students, leaving many shocked, anxious, and uncertain about their futures. The affected students, spread across over 50 universities—including Stanford, UCLA, Ohio State, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison—report similar experiences: minor traffic violations, such as tickets or court appearances, led to their SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records being terminated.
One such student, Lisa from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was just weeks away from graduation when she received the email notifying her of her status change. Initially thinking it was a mistake, she soon learned through online forums that many others were in the same situation. Although her offense was minor and involved no criminal conviction, the termination notice referred to a “criminal record.”
Experts believe this action may be tied to broader immigration enforcement efforts under Donald Trump’s administration, especially following recent remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Students are now rushing to understand their rights and next steps, as visa termination typically means they must leave the country within 15 days—or face deportation or future reentry bans.
