The legal status of several international students in Texas has changed after removals from a federal database.
HOUSTON — Three international students at Rice University and two recent graduates had their legal status changed in a wave of removals from a federal database. The status of 68 students in Texas was changed earlier this week.
Students across the country have been suddenly removed from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System or had their visas revoked. Visas can be canceled for a number of reasons, but college leaders across the country say the government has been quietly terminating students’ legal residency status with little notice to students or schools.
Visa revocations prevent re-entering the U.S. but do not immediately end a person’s status, SEVIS removals, however, do. SEVIS removal also can affect employment eligibility and the status of dependents like spouses and children, whose ability to stay in the U.S. depends on the primary status holder, Robert Hoffman, an immigration lawyer, told the Texas Tribune.
It wasn’t clear why the students’ status was changed. Neither universities nor immigration officials explained how students were chosen. On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security said it would screen students’ social media for antisemitism.
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.
Rice University has also come under fire from the Trump administration for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Rice was one of 44 universities placed under investigation. The president of Rice University issued a statement of support for international students:
A defining, unwavering feature of this great university is its personalized commitment to all its students, and as Rice’s president, I have no greater priority than their safety, care and overall well-being. Our international students are fundamental, vital, cherished members of the Rice community, and right now, they need our particular support during this period of national uncertainty about the persistence of a student visa.
Over the past few weeks, the federal government has, without giving prior notice, revoked hundreds of international student visas at universities across the country, and as of this afternoon, that includes three students and two recent graduates here at Rice. While there has been no federal immigration enforcement activity on the Rice campus, I know this news is unsettling for all of us; and it is especially surprising and distressing to students who had already obtained all the necessary permissions to fulfill their academic dreams in this country and at Rice.
As we absorb this challenge and other recent ones, I want to take a moment to explain how the university is and has been responding.
Rice continues to believe it can both follow the law and honor the long-held values that guide how we treat each other – and warmly welcome people of all backgrounds to the very international city of Houston. As always, these values are embedded in our name: Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence. To those ends, university leadership is in personal, constant communication with legal, government and policy advisers so we can remain apprised of any changes in immigration law — and immigration enforcement — that affect our international students’ experience. Within the bounds of the law, we are also doing all we can to support students who have been personally impacted. For example, we have made general legal resources (including live and Zoom information sessions, online FAQs, and recently published international travel and immigration guidance) available to guide students as they navigate general immigration and visa concerns they have. In addition, the specially trained staff in our Office of International Students and Scholars are directly communicating with affected students and others to answer their questions, identify resources and ensure their safety as they evaluate their next steps. Finally, if visa problems complicate a student’s academic progress, Rice stands ready to identify other feasible ways a student can continue their progress toward a degree.
These members of the international community are a part of the Rice family, and we will safeguard their dignity and support their aspirations because that is what this difficult moment requires of a great university. This moment also calls for our campus community to supplement its culture of care with appropriate guidance so our international students do not face any additional, unintended immigration challenges. Please visit https://www.rice.edu/travelguidance for detailed information and guidance on issues that impact international members of our community and international travel, and for timely updates on student visa issues.
These sudden developments affect us, one and all. During these times and others, I urge you to take care of yourself and those around you by using the many campus resources, such as the counseling and mental health support, nutritionist services, and fitness opportunities available through our Wellbeing and Counseling Center and Recreation and Wellness Center. Please know that these offices work in close partnership with OISS to support international students, and staff in the Wellbeing and Counseling Center are ready and willing to join existing activities and events if their presence can be helpful — don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, let us continue to show our compassion, solidarity and patience — and to extend the kindness and support that make Rice shine brightly in the face of our greatest challenges.
We will continue monitoring this situation closely and with great concern and will provide updates and resources as they become available.
With care and compassion,
President, Rice University
The Associated Press contributed to this report.