Student Visas: US revokes 40 study visas of Northeastern university; records deleted without informing university or students

The United States continues to revoke student visas, forcing international students to leave America as soon as possible. Several incidents have been recorded from American universities in which international students’ F-1 study visas have been cancelled.

In one such latest development, students of Northeastern universities are facing the heat. According to Renata Nyul, Northeastern Vice President for Communications, the State Department has canceled 40 visas for people linked with the university as of April 7, as reported by The Huntington News.

The Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiated a national effort to revoke visas and terminate the legal status of international students who have allegedly engaged in criminal behavior while in the U.S.

The Department of State has notified Several Northeastern students and recent graduates that their visas have been revoked.

ICE has also furthered this effort by terminating some student records without formal notification to the university or the student.

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has revoked several student visas, with officials indicating that additional revocations may occur. While visa revocations have historically been rare and typically tied to arrests or criminal charges, recent actions suggest a broader approach by the U.S. government.

Northeastern University has over 24,000 international students and recent alumni spread among its ten campuses in the United States.

Recently, several student visas have been canceled at Stanford University, the University of California, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. As of April 7, 23 visas had been withdrawn from students and recent graduates from Boston-area universities, including Harvard, the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Boston, and Berklee College of Music.

The student’s legal right to stay in the United States is terminated with the revocation of their student visa and deportation is the next step after taking proper legal help. Previously, a revoked visa did not instantly result in the cancellation of a student’s legal status in the United States. Student statuses are sometimes canceled under the current administration within hours of the visa being withdrawn.

Universities learn of the revocations during a routine check of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. SEVIS is a web-based system for maintaining information on nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors in the United States.

Universities must actively examine the SEVIS system to learn about the most recent student visa revocations because the immigration authorities do not notify them. The Office of Global Services addressed Northeastern visa holders on April 7 with instructions, including carrying evidence of identity and legal presence at all times and remaining “vigilant” for scams targeting overseas students and scholars.