TEXAS (USA): A wave of visa cancellations has struck international students across Texas, with more than 122 students reportedly losing their immigration status under the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
This unexpected development has caused significant concern among affected students and educational institutions.
The revocations have mostly impacted graduate-level students, and no official explanation has been provided so far by authorities. However, immigration experts suggest the move could be tied to stricter immigration enforcement, increased social media monitoring, and political factors.
According to available information, the breakdown of affected students across universities in Texas is as follows:
University of North Texas (UNT): 27 students
University of Texas at Arlington: 27 students
Texas A&M University: 23 students
University of Texas at Dallas: 19 students
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: 9 students
Texas Woman’s University: 4 students
Texas Tech University: 3 students
University of Texas at El Paso: 10 students.
Additional institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Houston, have also confirmed immigration status changes among some students but did not provide specific numbers.
A vice-chairman of the UNT Faculty Senate told U.S. media that initially 16 students were affected, a number that later rose to 27.
“Most of them are graduate students, and the university is in contact with them,” he added.
This development follows a statement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicating it will monitor international students’ social media activity to detect “antisemitic content,” referencing two executive orders issued by President Donald Trump in response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campuses. Several Texas universities had previously been the focus of such protests.
Dallas-based immigration attorney Naeem Sikhia said, “Being removed from SEVIS effectively denies a student the right to legal defense. It’s a silent termination from the immigration system.” He warned that losing SEVIS status not only halts the student’s education but also jeopardizes the legal status of accompanying family members.
Students removed from SEVIS are left with limited options: either to leave the country or file for reinstatement—a long, complex, and uncertain process. Sikhia advised affected students to immediately contact their Designated School Official (DSO) and explore reinstatement options.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups and affected students are considering legal action. A social media campaign under the hashtag #SaveTexasStudents is demanding justice for international students.
A spokesperson for the University of Texas at Dallas said the situation is “rapidly evolving,” and the institution is working closely with affected students to support them.
The University of North Texas also confirmed that 19 of the 27 impacted students were graduate-level scholars and an integral part of their international academic community.
Texas, a key destination for international education in the U.S., now faces growing uncertainty, with these actions contributing to mental stress, financial hardship, and a chilling effect on prospective students worldwide.
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