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Emigration and immigration

International Students in Jeopardy as Visas Are Revoked

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the current administration's threats to revoke visas continue, international students at Harvard University and across the United States are facing uncertainty about their academic futures. The DHS has already revoked the visas of 12 Harvard students and canceled $2.7 million worth of contracts, while the IRS has threatened to change Harvard's tax-exempt status. The university has frozen over $2.3 billion of its federal funding after refusing to accept the administration's demands. Meanwhile, more than 1,200 students have lost their immigration status or had their visas revoked for various reasons, including protests and minor infractions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The DHS has threatened to revoke the visas of all 9,970+ international students and faculty associated with Harvard University, following the university's refusal to accept the administration's demands.
  • The IRS has threatened to change Harvard's tax-exempt status, further jeopardizing the university's financial stability.
  • The DHS has already revoked the visas of 12 Harvard students and canceled $2.7 million worth of contracts, while the university has frozen over $2.3 billion of its federal funding.
  • More than 1,200 international students across the United States have lost their immigration status or had their visas revoked for various reasons, including protests and minor infractions.
  • International students are now required to carry their passports and I-20s at all times and are no longer allowed to work as Research or Teaching Assistants in school.
  • Universities have advised students to continue their education and keep attending classes while they work to resolve the situation.
  • Rajiv S. Khanna, a prominent Indian-American immigration lawyer, has issued a memorandum advising students facing a SEVIS termination to either depart and attempt re-entry or pursue litigation and attempt re-instatement.
  • A Dartmouth PhD student whose F-1 status was revoked by DHS has found limited success through lawsuit by getting his visa status temporarily restored by a New Hampshire federal court.

Statistics:

  • 9,970+ international students and faculty are associated with Harvard University and face potential visa revocation.
  • 12 Harvard students have had their visas revoked by the DHS.
  • $2.7 million worth of contracts has been canceled by the DHS.
  • Over $2.3 billion of Harvard's federal funding has been frozen.
  • More than 1,200 international students across the United States have lost their immigration status or had their visas revoked.
  • $43.8 billion was contributed to the US economy by international students at US colleges and universities during the 2023-2024 academic year.
  • 378,175 jobs were supported by international students in the US economy during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Sources:

  • India Currents
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Harvard Crimson
  • NAFSA (National Association of Foreign Student Advisers)
  • Institute for Nonprofit News (INN)

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