(Design by Kristofer Hoon | The Daily Utah Chronicle)
After the revocation of at least 22 visas at the University of Utah, 21 international students have had their visas reinstated, leaving 10 others still unsure of their status. Following the strengthening of immigration laws under orders from the Trump administration, international students and faculty face similar risks of having their visa statuses revoked or questioned.
Organizations and resources to help with maintaining or obtaining visas are available at the U, and reaching out to these groups can ensure the protection or reinstatement of revoked visas.
“Given recent developments and increased questions from our international community, we want to provide clear guidance and support. During this period of heightened immigration enforcement and policy uncertainty, all F-1 and J-1 students and scholars must remain in good standing and take proactive steps to preserve their visa status,” stated a letter sent out to international students.
It is also advised to minimize travel abroad as changes to policy or travel restrictions may be implemented with no warning, which could impact students’ ability to re-enter the country, especially for students relying on visas or travel documents to study.
International faculty at the U can contact supervisors to discuss travel and visas with the Office of General Counsel if necessary. The general counsel also helps students navigate legal and eligibility concerns.
Anyone with similar concerns about their study can also visit the Federal Transition Guidance page for updates and information, as well as FAQ’s from interactions with law enforcement and documentation requirements.
While visas can be revoked for criminal activity, concerns of a lack of transparency and clear explanation were voiced by the Legacy Alliance, a student affinity group consisting of the Asian American Student Association, Black Student Union, Mecha, the Pacific Islander Student Association and the Latinx Student Union.
“The lack of transparency surrounding these revocations is particularly troubling,” the Legacy Alliance said in an Instagram post. “In many cases, students received notices citing vague reasons such as ‘failure to maintain status’ without clarification or due process.”
In a statement on April 9, U leaders said that “Colleges and universities across the country have not been consistently notified of changes to the immigration status of international students, nor is the government required to do so under the law.”
“The stated reasons for these recent immigration actions include ‘individual identified in criminal records check.’ However, a few university students’ changes in status have not been connected to a clear, specific interaction with law enforcement, and they face an uncertain path to restoring their right to study in the United States,” the statement added.
International students can also refer to the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) located at the Student Union for resources and information on steps to maintain visas and other travel and immigration concerns.
“The International Student and Scholar Services staff in the Office for Global Engagement will continue to monitor federal immigration databases and communicate with student visa holders to provide the most up-to-date guidance for maintaining their immigration status. They also will reach out to those who have been identified by federal authorities as no longer qualifying for student visas to provide support,” U leaders said in the April 9 statement.
Students covered by the DACA program are encouraged to reach out to the Office of the Dean of Students for updates and guidance. The Dream Center also provides resources and guidance for undocumented students and those impacted by immigration.
Access to mental health and wellness resources remains open to students and will maintain full privacy and confidentiality for anyone looking to access them. The University Counseling Center is promoted to provide service in multiple languages for students whose mental health is being impacted by current related events.
Additional information relating to immigration can also be found at the National Immigration Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Immigration Legal Resource Center and the Immigration Advocates Directory.
About the Contributors
(he/him) Teetad was born in St. Louis and raised in Salt Lake City. He’s currently studying Strategic Communications with a minor in business at the University of Utah. He began working for the Daily Utah Chronicle in the Fall of 2024 as a News Writer to pursue his interest in content creation and journalism. He enjoys hiking, writing music and reading books.
(he/him) Kristofer is a junior currently studying Graphic Design. He is extremely passionate about creating art and is very excited to create designs for the Chronicle. In his spare time, he loves to play bass and go to local punk shows.
