The US government has begun a crackdown on international students, including those from Nigeria, by revoking their student visas without clear explanations or prior notice. This decision, part of an aggressive move by the Trump administration, has left hundreds of students scrambling to leave the country. The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly sent emails warning affected students, stating, “Do not attempt to remain in the United States. The federal government will find you.”
Some students have been arrested unexpectedly, with many claiming they received no formal notification from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the revocation of their visas. In some cases, universities were unaware of the visa cancellations until they saw students’ names in government records.
Attorney Dustin Baxter, who is representing over 100 affected students, said that the visa revocations often occurred even when no criminal charges or convictions were involved. In some instances, the students had merely encountered law enforcement or received a ticket.
Universities have reported that many were left in the dark, learning of the cancellations through routine checks. Stanford University, for example, discovered that four students and two recent graduates had their visas revoked during a SEVIS database check. This change in procedure is a significant shift from the past when school officials typically initiated visa revocations, according to immigration attorney Jeff Joseph.
In one highly publicized case, Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk was handcuffed by agents after her visa was revoked without warning. Surveillance footage captured her confusion and distress.
The US State Department has confirmed that the visa cancellations are part of a broader effort to address “serious foreign policy consequences” posed by certain individuals. The department has emphasized its “broad authority” to revoke visas at any time, with continuous monitoring of visa holders.
The ongoing crackdown has sparked widespread panic among international students, leaving many wondering whether their visa status is secure.
