TEMPE – Arizona State University has touted itself as the “No. 1 public university chosen by international students.” Over 17,000 international students are enrolled at ASU.
Now, at least 100 of those students have had their student visas revoked, according to the United Campus Workers of Arizona and other organizations. While the revocations are driving fear and uncertainty in the campus international community, students are stepping up and supporting their peers.
“Due to the complexity of the visa process, including appeals and other procedures, exact numbers at any given moment are not available,” an ASU spokesperson said when asked if they could confirm the number of students with revoked visas.
None of ASU’s international students have been deported, according to the university. Some students across the country with revoked visas have been told to self-deport within seven days or else the federal government will “find” them, according to CNN.
Over 1,500 student visas revoked nationwide
The crackdown on student visas comes from the Trump administration. Over 1,500 students across the U.S. have had their visas revoked, according to Inside Higher Ed, but information on these students and why they’re being targeted is sparse.
At ASU, the two student visa types targeted are F-1 and J-1. F-1 visas are for international students traveling to the United States to study. J-1 visas are specific to approved exchange programs.
“If you come to this country as a student, we expect you to go to class and study and get a degree,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a Cabinet meeting. “If you come here to vandalize a library, take over a campus, and do all kinds of crazy things, we’re going to get rid of these people. And we’re going to continue to do it. So when we identify lunatics like these, we take away their student visa.”
There are no express guidelines for revocation of student visas, but the State Department has broad discretionary authority.
“These revocations are unrelated to campus protests,” an ASU official said in an email. “They stem from what appear to be, in most cases, various legal infractions.” Some revocations across the country have been tied to campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war, according to multiple media reports.
For international students, mistakes such as improper paperwork or a minor legal issue could jeopardize their education.
“As an international student, coming and having that F-1 visa really makes you aware that you need to be at your spot all the time, with all the records,” said Aditya, an international student from India studying construction management. Cronkite News agreed to use only his first name to prevent backlash.
Arizona State University international students offered resources
Aditya is active in the Coalition of International Students at ASU (ASU CIS) and has served in ASU’s student government. ASU CIS is a student organization that serves the needs of international students. They host frequent general meetings, workshops and most recently a town hall event. The group focuses on keeping international students informed and providing guidance to navigate ASU and post-graduate life.
ASU’s International Students and Scholars Center website has resources and reminders for international students, including recommendations that they keep their immigration documents in a “safe, readily accessible place” and must carry a copy of their most recent I-94 arrival/departure record at all times.
“International students play such a huge role in serving and providing for the ASU community,” ASU senior and Arizona resident Sophie Levitt said. “For many of their visas, they’re not able to work anywhere other than the university. So a lot of them are helping out in various jobs, whether it be as desk assistants or workers at our various food courts.”
Levitt is a co-chair of the student organization Students for Justice in Palestine at ASU (SJP ASU). Following the news of several international students at ASU having their visas revoked, the group partnered with other organizations to host a “Hands Off Our Students” rally on campus earlier this month.
An April 3 news release by the organization listed several demands, including that ASU act as a sanctuary campus, that all international student visas revoked under the Trump administration be reinstated, and that no more international students have their visas revoked.
“I think it’s super important for people who have the privilege of resident status to be taking advantage of that and to be making as much noise as possible about what’s going on and protesting it,” Levitt said.
She added that SJP ASU often has international students express support for the organization’s activities and ideas but are reluctant to get involved out of fear of potential deportation or having their visas revoked.
Outside of her activity with SJP ASU, Levitt is a community assistant, supervising a floor of freshmen in the dorms.
“I’ve been specifically reaching out to my international students and making sure that they have the support they need,” Levitt said. “(I’ve been) providing know-your-rights information, making sure they have their information on them if they need to have it, and just checking in frequently to make sure that the situation stays the same and that they’re doing well.”
ASU international students grateful for support
While the number of revoked visas continues to increase, Aditya said he and his international student peers are proud to attend ASU and grateful for the support offered by fellow students and professors.
“At the university, while talking with professors about these issues … they are always very supportive,” he said. “As a university, ASU holds one of the biggest populations of international students compared to other universities in the U.S. so that is one of the reasons why we should be proud of being here at ASU.”
Aditya said he understands the scrutiny international students are under while on their F-1 visas but is hopeful for reform and a more lenient process, especially for students with minor infractions such as parking tickets or traffic violations.
“But it’s all up to the government and current administration,” Aditya said, noting international students should have “a clear record.”
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