BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Four current University at Buffalo students and nine recent graduates have had their student visas revoked, according to the university.
The university said in a statement Wednesday that they "can confirm that 13 F-1 visa holders at UB—four current students and nine recent graduates—had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record unexpectedly terminated in the past week by Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)."
Those impacted have been notified that they must leave the country as they are now out of status.
I asked the Managing Partner of Berardi Immigration Law, Rosanna Berardi, what could be the reason behind these sudden changes in status.
"Historically, we've never really seen this type of action," Berardi said. "It would usually have to be something pretty serious, so low-level things like trespassing or harassment or shoplifting would not typically be a CIMT, which would not make you removable from the US. However, the government is arguing that it is going to terminate any student visa that is potentially a threat to national security and safety… We may never know [why], because the government doesn’t have to reveal that."
UB leaders say they're committed to ensuring students and employees feel secure, safe and informed. International students are being encouraged to contact UB's International Student Services with questions or concerns.
Students like senior Mylien Lai are trying to figure out the reasons behind these changes. She especially wants to help inform her foreign classmates, who, according to UB.edu, make up an estimated 20% of the student body.
"Leads to a lot of very tense conversations about what has been going on, and whether they may be in danger as well," Lai said. "It's the public's right to know what is going on, especially in the student body."
This announcement comes less than a year after several students hosted a pro-Palestine protest on campus.
Just hours after these visas were revoked, the Department of Homeland Security said it would be "Screening Aliens' Social Media Activity for Antisemitism."
And within the announcement, the department states that this is "including those who support antisemitic terrorist organizations such as Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad."
I asked both Homeland Security and ICE about why these specific students had their status changed, but never heard back from either.
