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CORVALLIS, Ore. — A growing number of international students at universities across Oregon have unexpectedly lost their visa eligibility recently, leaving many feeling anxious and helpless about what the future may hold. Oregon State University confirmed Friday that 13 international students have had their immigration records terminated — an action the university said typically results in a loss of visa status.
Both international and domestic students expressed alarm and frustration over what appears to be a sweeping federal move that comes with few explanations. “We can’t control what’s being done and what is going on right now,” said one international student at OSU who chose not to be named. She said international students are in a vulnerable situation.
“It’s really sad to hear that, because we do a lot of hard work and struggle to reach here and get our visas, and then this thing happens, which is really disturbing for the international students to hear,” she continued. RELATED: Federal officials are quietly terminating the legal residency of some international college students According to Oregon State University, these students had their records terminated in the federal immigration records database, known as the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS. The school said it has received no information from federal authorities regarding this.
In a statement to OSU community members earlier this week, the university wrote this in part: "While immigration records are terminated from time to time for different reasons, the suddenness of these federal agency-initiated actions nationally has led us to review student immigration records even more frequently so that we can provide support to those impacted. "International students and employees who otherwise maintain their immigration status are typically not at risk of having their immigration status terminated suddenly, arbitrarily or without notification. For decades, OSU has proudly sponsored thousands of aspiring students and scholars across many fields as part of our commitment to expanding pathways to higher education for students locally and globally.
" OSU is not the only university to be impacted by these changes. At Portland State University, visa eligibility was recently terminated for two current students and one recent graduate. PSU said federal officials provided no explanation for the revocations, and they are working to connect impacted students with the necessary resources.
The University of Oregon reported that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security revoked the visa status of four international students who appeared in criminal record checks.
However, university officials said they were not informed in advance and have yet to receive any specific details about what the alleged violations were. UO reported that these students were also in good academic standing. They stated students only have 15 days to leave the country unless they have another legal pathway that allows them to stay.
Portland Community College stated Friday they have three student status terminations, and have also had no direct communication with any federal authorities. Finally, Lewis and Clark College said as far as they are aware, none of their international student's visas have been revoked. RELATED: Federal government cancels student visas without notice at University of Washington President Trump has consistently promised to be tough on immigration.
But these visa terminations have also raised concerns from some that the actions may be connected to recent political activism , particularly for those that may have participated in pro-Palestinian protests. “It makes me worried about the whole four years of this Trump administration,” said Kayla Washington, a senior at OSU with international student friends. “I’m scared that he’s going to take more away from us.
” “I feel like it’s definitely targeting,” she added. “Since it’s such a big situation going on right now, so it’s easier for them to pick out who’s more involved and how easier it is to put a criminal charge on them when they have nothing against them.” Students like Gabbi Gomez, whose boyfriend is not a citizen, expressed her concern for him, and everyone else potentially impacted.
"He comes in as a J-1 student every single summer into the U.S., and I’m terrified for this year,” she said.
“I can’t even express how angry it makes me, and how disgusted I am that that’s the reality now.".
