Universities across the United States are raising alarms over what they describe as unprecedented moves by the Trump administration to expel international students, often with little explanation or warning.
College administrators report that students are having their visas suddenly revoked and receiving immediate deportation orders - a stark departure from previous practices that typically allowed students to complete their studies even if visa issues arose.
The scope of enforcement appears to be widening beyond the administration's stated focus on pro-Palestinian activists. Students are being targeted for minor infractions like traffic violations, while others remain unclear about why they've lost their legal status.
At Minnesota State University in Mankato, five international students had their visas revoked for unspecified reasons. The university only discovered this after conducting database checks prompted by a Turkish student's detention at the University of Minnesota over a DUI conviction.
College officials report that federal authorities are now bypassing traditional communication channels with universities. Instead of working through institutions as done previously, the government is directly terminating students' records in federal databases.
"These are troubling times, and this situation is unlike any we have navigated before," wrote Minnesota State University President Edward Inch in a campus letter.
The impact spans institutions nationwide, affecting students at Arizona State, Cornell, North Carolina State, University of Texas, and others. Some students are departing voluntarily while others face detention by immigration authorities.
At North Carolina State, two Saudi Arabian students left the U.S. after learning their legal status was terminated without explanation. At Texas A&M, three students lost their status over previously resolved minor offenses, including a speeding ticket.
University leaders worry these actions will damage America's reputation as a premier destination for international students. The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities is seeking meetings with the State Department to address concerns about the lack of transparency and communication in these cases.
The enforcement appears to target students from various regions, particularly the Middle East and China, though no clear pattern has emerged. Some affected students had no involvement in political activism and were sponsored by foreign governments that discourage protest participation.
College administrators emphasize that international students bring valuable research contributions and tuition revenue to American universities. They warn that aggressive enforcement tactics could push talented students to seek education elsewhere, potentially weakening U.S. higher education's global standing.