Over 1,000 foreign students in the US face Visa cancellations, deportation fears mount

In a sweeping and sudden move, the US government has cancelled the visas or revoked the legal status of over 1,000 international students, sparking widespread anxiety and uncertainty—especially among Indian students.

According to a report by the Associated Press, the crackdown has affected students from more than 160 prominent educational institutions, including Ivy League schools like Harvard and Stanford, as well as major public universities such as the University of Michigan and Ohio State University.

Many students were caught off guard, learning about their status changes abruptly through university notifications. In several cases, students were informed without clear explanations or due process, leaving them unsure of how to proceed. Some lost their visas over seemingly minor infractions, such as unpaid traffic fines. Others were given no reason at all.

Immigration attorneys representing the affected students have criticized the lack of transparency, noting that many have not received formal notices to appear in immigration court, further deepening confusion and fear.

This development appears to be part of a broader policy shift by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Unlike in the past—when universities were responsible for reporting changes in a student’s enrollment status—authorities now directly terminate student status within government databases. This procedural shift has led to a surge in abrupt status changes, causing chaos among international student communities.

Some students have already filed lawsuits against the federal government, arguing that their rights to due process have been violated. In response, a few federal judges across various states have issued temporary relief by reinstating affected students to their previous immigration status, at least until their cases are fully heard. However, most students remain in limbo, unsure of their legal standing and fearing potential detention or deportation.

The crisis extends beyond those currently enrolled in university programs. Students working under the “Optional Practical Training” (OPT) program—a temporary employment authorization for recent graduates—have also been affected. This has cast a shadow over the futures of many who had planned to transition into long-term employment or work visas.

With over 1.1 million international students in the US—including around 500,000 graduate and 342,000 undergraduate students—the implications of this crackdown are significant. As the legal and political battle unfolds, students, universities, and advocacy groups are calling for clarity, fairness, and the restoration of due process in immigration decisions.