International Student Visa Revoked, CMU Senior Fights for Degree Amid Uncertainty

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Jayson Ma, a senior at Carnegie Mellon University, is facing an uncertain future after learning that his student visa has been revoked, jeopardizing his nearly completed degree.

The news broke to Ma in an email from the university’s provost, who notified him that his visa status, along with that of two other current students and several alumni, had been terminated from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). “I found out last night that I am one of the students impacted,” Ma said.

Despite not yet receiving an official government notice regarding the revocation, Ma is already preparing for the worst. “Part of the reason I have [my passport] is because I don’t know what’s going to happen to the future,” he said. “I made sure to pack my house last night.” His lawyer, Joseph Murphy, criticized the sudden nature of this decision, highlighting the lack of transparency. “No notice, no hearing, no opportunity to speak up for yourself,” Murphy remarked. “You didn’t even know this process was happening.”

Murphy suspects that the revocation may be tied to a 2023 DUI accusation against Ma, which did not result in a conviction and was dismissed and expunged. Nonetheless, the uncertainty casts a shadow over Ma’s educational aspirations. “It hasn’t been a smooth trip or easy journey,” he said, expressing his determination to finish college and honor his parents. “That’s part of the reason why I really want to finish what I came here for… getting a degree…”

Originally from Shenyang, China, Ma moved to the U.S. in 2016 to attend high school, eventually enrolling in CMU’s electrical computer engineering program. He is on track to graduate this December, hoping to return home to visit his ailing mother, who is battling cancer. “My mom’s really sick, so I’m trying to graduate as early as I can to go home and visit her,” Ma explained. “My priority isn’t even to stay within the U.S. but rather finish school.”

The issue of revoked student visas has extended beyond CMU. A spokesperson for the University of Pittsburgh confirmed that at least one current student and two recent graduates have also faced visa revocations and terminations from SEVIS. “At the University of Pittsburgh, our international populations are a vital and vibrant part of our university community, and their continued well-being is a top priority,” the spokesperson said.

Pitt’s Office of International Services has proactively reached out to the affected individuals to provide support and resources. College administrators have expressed concern over a seeming shift in the way visa statuses are being revoked, with students and school officials receiving limited notice, thereby increasing students’ risks of detention and deportation.

Many institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, Michigan, UCLA, and Ohio State University, have experienced similar situations, emphasizing the growing anxiety among international students across the nation.

International students applying for visas generally must meet specific requirements, including demonstrating financial support for their education and maintaining good academic standing. The State Department manages entry visas, while the Department of Homeland Security oversees students’ legal status via the SEVIS program.