News Summary
Brown University has confirmed the revocation of visas for at least one current student and several recent graduates, as announced by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. The U.S. State Department executed these actions without prior notification, leading to further scrutiny of policies targeting international students, particularly those involved in pro-Palestine activism. The university is working to support affected students and has faced criticism regarding communication from federal agencies. A class-action lawsuit has also been initiated to seek the reinstatement of legal statuses for impacted international students.
Providence, Rhode Island – Brown University has confirmed the revocation of visas for at least one current student and a “small number” of recent graduates, as announced by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) on April 10. The United States State Department executed these visa revocations earlier in April, doing so without prior notification or explanation to the institution or the individuals affected.
The circumstances surrounding these revocations have raised concerns amid ongoing scrutiny of the Trump administration’s policies that reportedly target international students associated with pro-Palestine activism. The revocation actions have not only impacted Brown but have also been seen across several other prestigious universities, including Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
Brown’s OISSS has actively addressed these issues by reactivating the visa registration records of the impacted students and graduates within the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) system. Staff members are monitoring visa statuses multiple times daily and have reached out to affected individuals to provide assistance regarding their situations.
It remains unclear how many total visas have been revoked due to the federal actions, although Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that over 300 student visas had been affected nationwide. Among those facing challenges are students who were on post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) status, a program allowing F-1 students to work in the U.S. for up to one year after graduation, with possible two-year extensions available for STEM graduates.
In light of the visa issues, students have been urged to verify their visa statuses through the OISSS Gateway Portal and the SEVP portal. The OISSS has reiterated its commitment to support students affected by the visa revocations, emphasizing their urgency in communicating relevant updates.
In related developments, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) alongside a law firm has initiated a class-action lawsuit seeking the reinstatement of legal statuses for numerous international students across the Northeast. This legal action reflects a growing concern about the impact of the visa revocation trend on diversity and educational opportunities for international students in the U.S.
The situation surrounding Brown’s visa revocation comes on the heels of recent federal decisions affecting the university, including the deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Brown faculty member, following her attendance at a funeral for a Hezbollah leader. Additionally, the White House has been reported to be cutting $510 million in federal funding to Brown over allegations of antisemitism and issues surrounding diversity initiatives.
Officials at Brown University have expressed frustration with the lack of communication from federal agencies, particularly regarding the rationale behind the visa revocations. The State Department has indicated that it is not mandated to inform visa holders prior to such revocation actions. Furthermore, a recent post from the State Department on social media mentioned ongoing compliance checks for visa holders, indicating the potential for revocation should any laws be violated.
Overall, the visa revocations faced by Brown University students and graduates are part of a broader trend of increasing scrutiny and deportation actions affecting international students across the United States during the Trump administration. This situation underscores the complexities and challenges that international students face while pursuing education in the U.S. amidst a shifting political landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Brown Daily Herald: Trump Administration Revokes Visas
- ABC 6: Brown University Reports Visa Revocation
- Turn To 10: Brown University Visa Revocation News
- WPRI: Brown University Warns of Visa Revocations
- CNN: Visa Revoked for Students Under Trump Administration
- Wikipedia: International Student
- Google Search: Trump Administration International Student Visa Revocation
