Nearly 40 international students in the United States have had their visas revoked, reportedly over minor traffic violations—an action that has sparked fear and confusion within the academic community.
Immigration advocates and legal experts suggest the move may be part of a broader effort by former President Donald Trump’s administration to tighten immigration controls and increase scrutiny of international students.
One affected student, Lisa, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was just weeks away from graduation when she received an unexpected email informing her that her SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) record had been terminated.
Initially believing the email was a scam, she later confirmed the information through online forums.
The reason cited was a minor traffic issue from the previous year, involving two tickets and a court visit where she was fingerprinted.
Once a SEVIS record is terminated, students typically have only 15 days to leave the U.S., or they risk deportation and future travel bans.
According to The Guardian UK, students at other top institutions—such as Stanford, UCLA, UC San Diego, Ohio State, and the University of Oregon—have experienced similar terminations, most of which occurred on April 4.
Many students said they were unaware that traffic infractions, some of which resulted in no convictions, could affect their immigration status. Nonetheless, their SEVIS termination letters labeled them as having criminal records.
The visa revocations came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a public statement on March 27, indicating plans to cancel more student visas in the name of national security. “Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” he said.
Legal professionals argue the policy lacks due process.
“Students weren’t given any chance to explain their situation,” said Shenqi Cai, an immigration attorney at Lashine Law in California.
She noted that most students had been fingerprinted for minor or dismissed charges, which should not equate to criminal behavior.
The consequences are already severe.
One Chinese student, David, lost his right to work under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program and is now scrambling to relocate to Canada within the 15-day deadline.
Another student, Bill, is caught in legal limbo—his traffic ticket case is ongoing, but remaining in the U.S. to attend court puts him at risk of detention.
Many universities have simply advised students to consult immigration lawyers, but legal assistance—even when discounted—remains costly.
In response to the growing panic, over 300 students joined an emergency Zoom session with federal immigration lawyer Brad Banias.
“This isn’t a legal action—it’s political,” Banias told attendees.
“They’re criminalizing parking tickets.”
The crackdown has jeopardized academic and professional futures.
Lisa now faces the possibility of missing graduation and losing her job and graduate school opportunities.
“Worst case, I don’t graduate. I go home and start college again—four more years. And then what?” she said.
For many, the incident is not just about visa revocations but a signal of heightened immigration enforcement.
“This isn’t just about students,” Banias warned.
“It’s about the message the government is sending: that no one is safe.”
