In a sweeping enforcement action, the United States government has revoked the visas of more than 1,400 international students enrolled across 240 universities, citing violations related to visa compliance and academic program integrity.
According to senior officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the decision follows months of investigation into student visa abuses, including instances of non-compliance with full-time enrollment requirements, misrepresentation of academic activity, and involvement with unaccredited or fraudulent institutions.
The revoked visas span multiple nationalities and academic levels, with the majority concentrated in STEM and business-related programs. While the names of the affected universities have not been fully disclosed, DHS confirmed that both public and private institutions some with large international student populations were impacted.
“Maintaining the integrity of our visa system is critical,” said a DHS spokesperson. “Students who fail to comply with the terms of their visas or who enroll in programs not authorized to host international students risk removal.”
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division stated that affected individuals have either departed the country voluntarily or are undergoing removal proceedings. Some students have expressed shock, claiming they were unaware of any violations.
International education advocates and legal experts are urging universities and immigration authorities to increase transparency and communication with students navigating complex visa rules.
“This action underscores the importance of institutional responsibility and accurate advising,” said Dr. Elena Mistry, Director of Global Student Affairs at a major U.S. university. “Students should not bear the burden of unclear or inconsistent guidance.”
The visa revocations come at a time of heightened scrutiny of U.S. immigration and education policies, particularly as global student mobility begins to rebound post-pandemic. International students contributed over $35 billion to the U.S. economy in the previous academic year, according to the Institute of International Education.
Officials indicated that further audits of academic institutions and student visa programs are ongoing.
source: nairametrics.com
