Just weeks before graduation, at least 50 international students at Arizona State University (ASU) have had their student visas revoked, according to Senior Attorney Ami Hutchinson of the Tucson-based law firm Green Evans-Schroeder. Some of these students are now facing possible detention or deportation, with one student currently held in immigration custody for over 10 days.
Initially, only eight visa revocations had been reported, but that number has rapidly grown. Hutchinson says students are shocked and scared, with many believing the revocations are the result of a misunderstanding.
“They’re really, really afraid,” Hutchinson said. “They still seem to think that someone made a mistake.”
While ASU has not confirmed the number of affected students, Hutchinson estimates that up to 1,000 international students nationwide may be impacted. The firm has been partially funded by ASU to provide legal consultation for affected students.
Many of the impacted students were set to graduate this spring but now may not receive their degrees. With notices arriving via email and little clarity on next steps, students are left confused — unsure whether to keep attending classes or prepare to leave the country.
Some students were allegedly flagged for visa revocation due to previous minor offenses, such as misdemeanors. In the past, such issues didn’t usually result in immediate removal, and students could remain in the U.S. until their Form I-20 expired. Now, visa cancellations appear to be more immediate and punitive.
The ACLU of Arizona weighed in, calling the trend part of a broader pattern of targeting immigrants and dissent.
“The ACLU of Arizona unequivocally condemns the targeting of non-citizen students through the abuse of immigration authority and as punishment for protected expression,” said policy strategist Noah Schramm.
Many of the students affected come from India, China, or Muslim-majority countries. Attorneys suspect some students may be targeted due to political activities, such as protesting the war in Gaza.
Adding to the confusion is the abrupt termination of the students’ SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) status, which tracks legal student presence in the U.S. This move by ICE has further complicated the legal standing of these students.
A federal lawsuit filed on April 5 in California alleges the SEVIS terminations are “abrupt and unlawful.” Hutchinson and other lawyers are considering filing additional lawsuits or joining class-action efforts to challenge the visa revocations.
“The underlying basis is bizarre and unlawful,” Hutchinson said. “The government didn’t do what they’re supposed to do.”
Students are being urged to carry documentation of their legal status and watch for urgent communications from the U.S. Department of State. Meanwhile, the broader implications of this wave of visa revocations — especially for students on the cusp of graduating — remain uncertain.
