Safeguarding Education: Why International Students Deserve Due Process?

International Students Caught in Legal Limbo After SEVIS Removals

A troubling issue has come to light, affecting at least 118 international students enrolled at Texas universities. According to university officials and media reports, these students have recently experienced changes to their legal status following a wave of removals from the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This issue has impacted institutions across Texas and the broader United States, raising significant concerns about its implications.

Reports indicate that the affected students were notified of either visa revocations or the termination of their immigration status in SEVIS. While visa revocations primarily prevent individuals from re-entering the U.S., they do not immediately end a person’s current legal status. However, removals from SEVIS reportedly have far more immediate consequences, significantly restricting the students’ options and placing them in a precarious position.

As of April 10, several Texas universities confirmed instances of altered immigration statuses among their students. The University of North Texas (UNT) and the University of Texas at Arlington each reported 27 affected students, whereas 19 students were impacted at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and Texas A&M University. Additional cases included 9 students at UT Rio Grande Valley, 4 at Texas Woman’s University, and 3 at Texas Tech. While UT Austin and the University of Houston acknowledged affected students, they did not disclose specific numbers. Additionally, KFOX14 reported that 10 students from the University of Texas at El Paso had their visas revoked.

Immigration attorney Robert Hoffman explained that SEVIS removals could disrupt the students’ employment eligibility and the legal status of their dependents. He further noted that these terminations often bypass due process, leaving the students without adequate information or the opportunity to defend themselves. University and government officials have not clarified how these students were selected for removal from SEVIS. However, the Department of Homeland Security revealed it had begun screening international students' social media accounts for “antisemitic” content. This action was linked to executive orders issued by former President Trump, which sought to address antisemitism tied to pro-Palestine protests. Notably, similar demonstrations had taken place at universities such as UNT and UTD.

At a recent UNT Faculty Senate meeting, Vice Chair William Joyner stated that the provost had initially reported 16 SEVIS removals, a number later revised to 27 by a spokesperson. However, no additional details were provided. UTD also confirmed the termination of immigration statuses for 19 students and assured that they were assisting the affected individuals. University officials described the situation as ongoing, emphasising that they were actively communicating with impacted students. Immigration attorney Phillip Rodriguez highlighted the limited options available to students removed from SEVIS, explaining that they would need to either leave the U.S. or apply for reinstatement. Hoffman added that SEVIS removals complicate the appeals process far more than visa revocations, suggesting that the authorities could be deliberately making it difficult for these students to continue their education in the U.S. without adequate legal or administrative support.

University data revealed that UNT has over 8,000 international students, most of whom are graduate-level, making it one of the largest international student populations in the U.S. A spokesperson confirmed that 19 of the 27 affected students at UNT were graduate students. Similarly, UTD has a substantial international student body, with over 4,500 students enrolled. This unfolding situation raises urgent questions about fairness, transparency, and the treatment of international students, highlighting the challenges they face in navigating complex immigration policies while pursuing higher education in the United States.

Editor’s Note:

The recent removal of international students from the SEVIS database, alongside visa revocations, highlights the complex and often precarious challenges international students face within the U.S. immigration system. These actions, which carry immediate and far-reaching consequences, raise serious concerns about transparency, fairness, and due process. Universities have a critical responsibility to advocate for their international students, ensuring clear communication and providing adequate support during such difficult times. As institutions of learning, they must prioritise the well-being of their international student communities and respond to these disruptions with urgency and care. This situation also underscores the urgent need to reevaluate immigration procedures to better balance national security concerns with the rights of students pursuing higher education. Clear policies and accessible avenues for appeal are essential, as the current lack of information leaves many affected individuals in uncertain and vulnerable positions.

Skoobuzz urges universities, government agencies, and legal professionals to work collaboratively to protect these students' ability to continue their education and contribute meaningfully to academic and professional communities.