USCIS Revokes Visas of Five UMass Amherst International Students

AMHERST, MASS. (AP) — Five international students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have had their visas revoked and their student statuses terminated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Chancellor Javier Reyes announced in a letter to the university community on Friday.

Reyes disclosed that UMass was not informed by the federal government prior to the revocations, stating, “Throughout the course of this week and as of tonight, five international students have had their visas revoked and student statuses terminated by the federal government.” He added that the university only became aware of the changes through proactive checks in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database.

The lack of notification from ICE has raised concerns among the university’s administration. Reyes expressed his regret for the news being communicated late on a Friday, emphasizing the importance of UMass’ international community to the campus’s vitality, and reassured international students and scholars of the university’s “unwavering support.”

To assist the affected students, UMass is providing various resources, including personal outreach from leadership within its Office of the Provost, Student Affairs, Campus Life, and the Office of Global Affairs, although the identities of the students have not been disclosed.

This incident follows a similar situation earlier in the week at Minnesota State University in Mankato, where President Edward Inch also reported the revocation of visas for five international students after database checks were prompted by the detention of a student at the University of Minnesota.

Reyes highlighted that other institutions across the country, including Arizona State University, Cornell University, North Carolina State University, the University of Oregon, the University of Texas, and the University of Colorado, have experienced similar visa revocations without prior notice.

During recent remarks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that students may be targeted for participation in protests or connections to alleged criminal activities, further complicating the international student landscape in the U.S.

Reyes noted a potential shift in the revocation process, recalling that under previous administrations, students’ legal statuses were often not immediately canceled upon visa revocation. The recent swift action has left impacted students bewildered, with some facing the challenge of being ordered to leave the country without adequate notice.

“Attracting students from every corner of the globe, higher education in the United States has always been the envy of the world,” Reyes stated, reinforcing the importance of international students in enriching campus communities. “We came to better ourselves, better our communities, and better the country that welcomed us as scholars.”

The university maintains a commitment to track any updates regarding these visa issues, ensuring that affected students are provided with the necessary support and resources as they navigate this challenging situation.