The recent actions by the Trump administration to revoke F-1 visas of international students have caused significant concern within academic communities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on March 27, 2025, that over 300 student visas have been revoked, citing alleged involvement in campus activism and the sharing of “anti-national” content on social media as primary reasons for these revocations. Since then there has been a flurry of activity with student visas being revoked, or SEVIS records being terminated and in extreme cases some students have been detained and put into removal proceedings. SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to track and monitor international students, exchange visitors and their dependents while they are in the U.S.
What is an F-1 Visa?
An F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits international students to pursue studies at accredited U.S. institutions. This visa is essential for entry into the U.S. as a student. However, the revocation of an F-1 visa does not necessarily mean that a student must leave the country immediately.
What Happens When an F-1 Visa is Revoked?
Visa revocation invalidates the visa stamp in the passport, rendering it unusable for future travel into the U.S. Nonetheless, if a student is already present in the U.S., they may still maintain their legal status and continue their studies, provided they adhere to all other visa requirements.
Reasons for F-1 Visa Revocations
The recent visa revocations are associated with the “Catch and Revoke” initiative, which employs artificial intelligence to monitor international students’ online activities. This initiative aims to identify individuals allegedly supporting terrorist organizations or engaging in activities deemed “anti-national.” Officials have indicated that social media activity, particularly posts made after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, is under close scrutiny. In essence, students who have participated in campus protests, liked, shared, or commented on certain social media posts, or have been flagged for engaging with content considered a threat to national security are at risk of having their visas revoked.
Notable Cases
A recent high-profile case involves Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University. She was detained by Department of Homeland Security agents and had her visa revoked due to alleged support for Hamas, based on her co-authorship of an article critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Despite protests and legal challenges, she remains in detention, highlighting the administration’s stringent approach to perceived anti-national activities.
Another notable case is that of Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old Indian national and doctoral candidate in Urban Planning at Columbia University, who left the United States after her F-1 student visa was revoked by the U.S. Department of State. The visa was revoked because of her alleged involvement in activities supporting Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Srinivasan had been active in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, which authorities claim constituted support for Hamas. She was previously detained during protests at Columbia’s Hamilton Hall, although all charges were later dismissed.
Does Visa Revocation Mean Deportation?
Not necessarily. Revocation of a visa does not automatically mean that a student is out of status or must immediately leave the U.S. If a student is inside the country, they can:
- Maintain their F-1 status if they comply with school regulations.
- Continue their education as long as their SEVIS record remains active.
- Challenge deportation proceedings in an immigration court.
Only if a student departs the U.S. will they need to apply for a new visa before re-entry and in some cases may need a waiver under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
How to Check If Your Visa Has Been Revoked
There is no formal procedure or platform to check if your visa is valid. Students typically learn about visa revocation through:
- A formal email or letter from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Notification at a U.S. port of entry during international travel.
- When an airline refuses to allow them to board a flight to the U.S. This happens because once a visa is revoked DOS or DHS notifies airlines about this.
Airlines don’t get a direct message from the DOS, but instead, they rely on the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) and the Carrier Liaison Program (CLP) run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These systems:
- Scan passenger manifests before departure to the U.S.
- Flag individuals whose visas are revoked or invalid
- Allow CBP to communicate directly with airlines and prevent boarding
In practice:
- When a visa is revoked, it is updated in CBP’s systems, and anyone trying to board a U.S.-bound flight will be flagged.
- Airline staff check passengers against real-time “no board” or “do not board” lists sent by CBP.
- This is similar to how carriers check Interpol notices or DHS watchlists.
Can Universities Expel Students with Revoked Visas?
A school is not required to terminate a student’s enrolment solely because their visa has been revoked. Unlike employers, universities do not need to verify a student’s immigration status through I-9 forms. Students can continue their education as long as they meet the enrolment requirements.
What Can Students Do?
If a student is affected by visa revocation:
- Seek legal advice: Immigration attorneys can provide guidance on challenging the revocation.
- Monitor SEVIS status: Ensure that the school has not terminated F-1 status. More details about this are provided later in this article.
- File a challenge if placed in deportation proceedings: Students can contest the revocation and argue their case before an immigration judge.
- File a Lawsuit: The student can file a lawsuit in federal court arguing that the termination of their SEVIS record was unjustified or unlawful under administrative law.
- Apply for Reinstatement: If a student’s SEVIS record has been terminated, he/she may qualify for reinstatement and should retain an immigration lawyer to assist with this process.
- Remain informed: Follow updates from reliable sources and legal organizations advocating for international students.
Termination of SEVIS Records
What is SEVIS?
SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a web-based system used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to track and monitor international students (on F-1 visas), exchange visitors (on J-1 visas), and their dependents while they are in the United States.
SEVIS is managed by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and used by U.S. schools (through Designated School Officials, or DSOs) and government agencies to:
- Issue and update Form I-20 (for F-1 students) and Form DS-2019 (for J-1 visitors).
- Maintain real-time records of a student’s enrolment, program changes, address updates, and more.
- Notify the government if a student falls out of status (e.g., by dropping below a full course load without authorization or not showing up for classes).
Who can terminate a SEVIS record?
- Designated School Officials (DSOs) – at the student’s university or college
DSOs are the primary administrators of a student’s SEVIS record. They can terminate a record if the student:
- Fails to enrol or drops below a full course load without prior approval
- Withdraws from the program or transfers without proper procedure
- Engages in unauthorized employment
- Violates the terms of their visa status
- Is dismissed or suspended by the school
Most SEVIS terminations come from DSOs based on institutional compliance and reporting responsibilities.
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – via ICE or CBP
Federal immigration authorities can also directly terminate a SEVIS record, particularly if:
- A student is arrested or detained by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
- The visa is revoked by the Department of State, triggering an out-of-status condition
- The student is found to have committed fraud, violated immigration laws, or is deemed a national security concern
What Happens if a SEVIS Record is Terminated?
If a student’s SEVIS record is terminated, it means they are no longer considered to be in valid F-1 status, and the termination is reported to DHS.
Implications of Termination:
- Loss of Legal Status: The student is immediately out of status, meaning they no longer have the legal right to stay in the U.S. as an F-1 student.
- No Grace Period: Unlike regular program completion (which allows a 60-day grace period), there is no grace period after a SEVIS termination. The student must depart the U.S. immediately unless they take prompt action to reinstate/regain status.
- Restoring Status:
A student can either:
- File for reinstatement with USCIS (must meet eligibility and act quickly, usually within 5 months).
- Leave the U.S. and re-enter with a new I-20 and visa (if needed), which essentially resets their status.
Travel Risks:
With a terminated SEVIS record, travel outside the U.S. becomes risky, and re-entry is not permitted until the record is restored, or a new visa is issued. If the visa or SEVIS were terminated because of an arrest or other ground of inadmissibility the student would need a waiver under section 212(d)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Final Thoughts
The U.S. government has intensified scrutiny on international students. While the revocation of F-1 visas and termination of SEVIS records is alarming, students should not panic. Understanding their rights, staying informed, and seeking legal counsel when necessary are key steps to navigating these challenges.
