A Dozen Rutgers Students Suddenly Had Their Visas Revoked

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — About a dozen Rutgers University students had their visas revoked last weekend "without explanation," according to university president Jonathan Holloway.

Holloway said all the affected students were in "good academic standing" and that they suddenly had "their lawful status in the United States ... terminated without explanation."

Holloway announced this Sunday in this letter to the Rutgers community.

"Here at Rutgers, as at other universities across the country, students who are in good academic standing have learned that their lawful status in the United States has been terminated without explanation," he said.

So far, none of the 12 Rutgers students have been taken into ICE custody or federal custody, said the school.

A Rutgers spokeswoman said the university just recently discovered that changes were made to the 12 students' legal status in SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. SEVIS is a database run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement that maintains information on foreign students and exchange visitors to the United States.

"About a dozen Rutgers students have been affected," said the spokeswoman.

The university said it has put the 12 students in touch with the Rutgers Immigrant Community Assistance Project, which is part of Rutgers Law School and offers free legal services to all students experiencing immigration issues.

"Some of our international students have recently experienced unexpected terminations of their lawful U.S. residency status," said Rutgers in another email sent to the school community on April 8. "This pressing issue demands our attention. This matter is not unique to Rutgers; universities across the country are reporting similar visa revocations, as noted in President Holloway’s April 6 communication, but it has created a great deal of uncertainty and concern especially among our international community ... If you or someone you know is facing visa revocation or related challenges, please contact Rutgers Global – International Student Services immediately at immigration@global.rutgers.edu."