SAN DIEGO – In an unexpected move, at least five students from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have had their F-1 visas revoked by the U.S. government. A sixth student was reportedly detained at the border, denied entry, and subsequently deported, according to Chancellor Pradeep Khosla’s announcement.
Chancellor Khosla confirmed that the university received this notification from federal authorities “without warning,” and no explanation was provided for the abrupt visa terminations. The affected students have been notified, and the university is actively working to support them through this challenging situation.
This action follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in January, which targeted individuals who participated in pro-Palestinian protests amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The order has raised significant concerns within the international student community.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on March 27 that the government had revoked visas for 300 international students across the United States, with dozens of these students attending California universities. This visa crackdown is part of a broader set of immigration policies implemented under the Trump administration, impacting various visa holders beyond just students.
In a statement, Rubio emphasized that the majority of student visas in the U.S. remain intact, as most international students are not involved with organizations hostile to the country. However, he expressed caution about granting visas to individuals advocating policies contrary to U.S. national interests.
The impact of these actions is widespread, with UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk reporting that six current UCLA students and six former students in a training program also faced visa revocations.
The University of California system issued a statement acknowledging that international students at several campuses have been affected by recent SEVIS terminations. The UC system is committed to supporting its community members while adhering to state and federal laws.
Chancellor Khosla referred students to a 2016 UC statement that supports undocumented community members, reinforcing the university’s nondiscrimination policy. The statement emphasized the university’s dedication to creating an inclusive environment where all admitted students can thrive regardless of immigration status.
The UCSD Guardian, the campus newspaper, reported that all six affected UCSD students were instructed to leave the country immediately. This situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by international students in the current political climate.
