Trump administration revokes visas for international students in universities across Illinois

The visas of seven international students at the University of Chicago have been revoked amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.

University officials said Wednesday that the visa terminations of three students and four recent graduates were found during an audit, and the federal government stripped the students’ F-1 visas and their Student and Exchange Visitor Program status.

“The University of Chicago is committed to continued deep engagement and active exchange with international students, scholars, and visitors,” university spokesperson Gerald McSwiggan said in a statement. “The University has a long history of supporting America’s position as a magnet for talented people from across the globe, and we will continue to work to assist the members of our international community.”

McSwiggan said the Office of International Affairs has offered to connect the affected individuals with immigration attorneys.

The University of Chicago is just one of several institutions in the state and across the country whose international students have had their visas revoked by the federal government.

Though they did not disclose the number of individuals affected, officials at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign said some of their students have also had their visas revoked.

“Out of student privacy concerns, we are not sharing specific information, but we are working directly with affected students to help them connect with appropriate resources and understand their options,” said Robin Kaler, associate chancellor for strategic communications and marketing.

U of I officials sent a letter to the student body last Friday notifying them of the news.

In the letter, Chancellor Robert Jones and Provost John Coleman said the federal government does not notify the university or affected students of no-contact termination, adding that while the “university has no authority to reverse these terminations” they will provide details and options specific to the individual’s unique situation.

“We understand how unsettling these reports are for our entire international population, and we are working to provide the resources and support to navigate the situation,” the letter said. “You are an important and needed part of our community and we are grateful you are here.”

Last month, The Daily Egyptian — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s student newspaper — reported that an international student at the university had their visa revoked.

The Trump administration has targeted students who had been involved with pro-Palestinian activism or speech, with a few high-profile detentions of students including Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who was a leader of protests at Columbia University.

But more schools are seeing visas stripped from students with no known connection to protests. In some cases, past infractions such as traffic violations have been cited. Some colleges say the reasons remain unclear to them — and they are seeking answers.

Contributing: AP