PITTSBURGH —
A Carnegie Mellon University student spoke publicly Wednesday after learning his student visa was being revoked one semester before he would graduate.
Jayson Ma’s future is at stake after learning his student visa has been revoked, putting his nearly-completed degree in jeopardy. The news came via an email from the university's provost, which informed students that two current students and several alumni had their visas revoked and their records terminated from SEVIS— the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
“I found out last night that I am one of the students impacted,” Ma said.
Although Ma has yet to receive an official government notice, the uncertainty has left him preparing for the worst. Sitting with his passport in hand, Ma said, "Part of the reason I have it is because I don't know what's going to happen to the future. And it's not just my passport. I made sure to pack my house last night."
Soon after the email, Ma was contacted by his designated school official, who informed him that his immigration status was in jeopardy. Ma’s immigration attorney, Joseph Murphy, criticized the lack of transparency throughout the process.
“No notice, no hearing, no opportunity to speak up for yourself,” Murphy said. “You didn’t even know this process was happening. You were notified by someone who couldn’t explain it.”
Murphy believes the situation may stem from a 2023 DUI accusation Ma faced, though the case was dismissed, and the record was expunged. Despite this, Ma remains hopeful about completing his studies.
“It hasn't been a smooth trip or [an] easy journey, but I'm really proud of everything I have accomplished," Ma said. "That’s part of the reason why I really want to finish what I came here for... getting a degree... and proving to my parents that I accomplished something here that I’m proud of.”
Ma, who came to the United States from Shenyang, China, in 2016 for high school before enrolling at CMU, is on track to graduate early this December. He is determined to finish his degree to reunite with his mother, who is battling cancer.
“My mom’s really sick, so I’m trying to graduate as early as I can to go home and visit her,” Ma said. “My priority isn’t even to stay within the U.S. but rather finish school. That way I can go back and see her.”
The revocation of student visas has rippled beyond CMU. A spokesperson for the University of Pittsburgh confirmed that at least one current student and two recent graduates from their institution have also had their visas revoked and records terminated from SEVIS.
"At the University of Pittsburgh, our international populations are a vital and vibrant part of our university community, and their continued well-being is a top priority," the University said in a statement.
Pitt's Office of International Services has reached out to the three people whose visas were revoked, saying they are working to provide support and resources.
Visas can be canceled for a number of reasons, but college leaders say the government has been quietly terminating students' legal residency status with little notice to students or schools, according to the Associated Press. That marks a shift from past practice and leaves students vulnerable to detention and deportation.
In addition to the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon, the list of colleges that have discovered students who have had their legal status terminated includes Harvard, Stanford, Michigan, UCLA, and Ohio State University.
How do student visas work?
Students in other countries must meet a series of requirements to obtain a student visa, usually an F-1. After gaining admission to a school in the U.S., students go through an application and interview process at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
Students on an F-1 visa must show they have enough financial support for their course of study in the U.S. They have to remain in good standing with their academic program and are generally limited in their ability to work off-campus during their academic program.
Entry visas are managed by the State Department. Once they're in the U.S., international students' legal status is overseen by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program under the Department of Homeland Security.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
