The United States government has revoked the visas of nearly 40 international students over minor traffic violations, sparking outrage, fear, and uncertainty among students, immigration advocates, and legal experts.
The affected students, who were studying at top U.S. universities including Stanford, UCLA, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Ohio State, received sudden notifications that their visa records had been terminated, leaving them just 15 days to leave the country or face possible deportation.
According to The Guardian UK, this wave of terminations began around April 4 and has affected students from over 50 universities across the U.S. Most of the cases involve simple traffic violations such as driving with an expired license or receiving a ticket, with many students unaware that such incidents could impact their visa status.
The action appears to follow comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 27, in which he promised to take a tough stance on student visas in the name of national security.
“Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” Rubio said in a public speech. While he did not provide specific details, immigration lawyers now believe that a blanket directive may have been issued shortly afterward, targeting students with any form of fingerprint record, even for non-criminal infractions.
Lisa, an international student from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was just a month away from graduation when she received an unexpected email from her university’s International Student Services (ISS).
“ISS is writing to inform you that your SEVIS record was terminated,” the email read. SEVIS, or the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to track international students.
At first, Lisa thought the message was a scam. But after checking online forums, she discovered dozens of other students had received similar emails. The cause in her case: two minor traffic tickets from the previous year, which led to her being fingerprinted when she appeared in court.
Like Lisa, many of the affected students say they were never informed that such minor issues could be considered serious enough to result in visa termination. Most were shocked to learn they were now “out of status” and had to leave the country within days.
David, a Chinese student working in the U.S. under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, lost his legal right to work overnight. His employer is now trying to relocate him to Canada, but the 15-day deadline makes it difficult to arrange a smooth transition.
Another student, Bill, is still facing court proceedings over driving with an expired license. His visa was canceled even though the case is ongoing. He now finds himself in a legal bind—he is required to appear in court but risks detention if he stays too long in the country.
“These students weren’t given any chance to explain their situations,” said Shenqi Cai, an immigration lawyer with Lashine Law in California. “They were terminated under a broad directive, likely triggered by an automated screening system that doesn’t consider the legal differences between states.”
Cai explained that about 90% of the affected students had been fingerprinted—even though many of the charges were minor or eventually dropped. “Fingerprinting alone should not equate to having a criminal record,” she said.
In response to the crisis, students quickly organized. They created a shared online spreadsheet to collect names and experiences from affected individuals. Within days, over 300 students had joined an emergency Zoom call with federal immigration lawyer Brad Banias.
“It’s not a legal move, it’s a political one,” Banias told the students. “They’re criminalizing parking tickets.”
Many of the students are now scrambling to find lawyers and understand their options. While some universities have advised students to seek legal help, most schools have not offered direct assistance, and immigration lawyers—though some are offering discounts—can be expensive.
“The dust of history falls on me, and it becomes a mountain,” said Bill, expressing the helplessness many students now feel.
Lisa, too, is still trying to process the situation. She may lose her chance to graduate and all the opportunities she worked years to achieve.
“Worst case, I don’t graduate. I go home and start college again. Four more years. And then what?” she said, her voice filled with frustration and disbelief.
While the visa terminations have affected only a small portion of the nearly one million international students in the U.S., experts warn it may be part of a larger shift in immigration policy.
“This isn’t just about students,” Banias said during the emergency Zoom call. “It’s about the message the government is sending: that no one is safe.”
Observers say this could signal a return to hard-line immigration policies under the Trump administration, which has taken a strong stance on reducing immigration through legal and administrative means.
Advocates argue that international students contribute greatly to the U.S. economy and innovation sectors. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, international students contributed over $38 billion to the U.S. economy in 2022 alone.
The current situation threatens not only students’ futures but also America’s reputation as a welcoming destination for global talent.
This situation has sparked concern in Nigeria, which sends thousands of students to the U.S. each year. Families invest heavily in international education, often spending millions of naira for tuition, housing, and other costs.
“If something like this can happen without warning, how can we be sure of our children’s safety abroad?” asked Mrs. Adegbite, a parent whose son is studying in Illinois. “It’s very worrying.”
With uncertainty still hanging in the air, affected students and their families are hoping for some form of legal intervention or policy reversal that might allow them to stay and complete their studies.
Until then, many are packing their bags and facing the reality of having to leave behind years of hard work, friendships, and future plans.
“This has shaken our trust in the system,” said David. “We came here to learn, to grow, and contribute. But now we are being punished for something as small as a parking ticket.”
