University of Massachusetts Amherst announced that in 2025 many international students had revoked their visas by the US Immigration Customs (ICE). The university has discovered these visa terminations after conducting student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) checks and then implementing a system used to track student and exchange visitor information (SEVIS).
According to UMass Prime Minister Javier Reyes, the university had not received prior notice regarding the changes to Visa. He explained that the agency only noticed a withdrawal following an aggressive check of the Sevis database, as the authorities were not directly notified.
UMass has not revealed the reasons for Visa Recocations or identified the students affected, but similar incidents have been reported at other US universities. Institutions such as Arizona State University, Cornell University, North Carolina State University, University of Oregon, University of Texas and the University of Colorado have all experienced similar visa revocations without prior notice from the federal government.
US authorities suggest that some international students affected by the withdrawal may be linked to other activities that are considered protests or concerns. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that students involved in protests or activities related to “potential criminal activity” are under scrutiny. Recent arrests, including Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil and Iranian doctoral student Alireza Doroudi, highlight the issue. Doroudi canceled his visa in 2023 and was arrested in the National Security Hall in March. Similarly, Turkish doctoral arrest earlier this year student Lu Mesa Ozturk raised questions about the government's approach to students involved in anti-Israel protests.
In response, UMass Amherst confirmed that it will continue to monitor the Sevis database for further updates. Prime Minister Reyes expressed regret over the timing of the announcement and said he would like to notify the community as soon as information becomes available.
The incident follows a similar incident earlier this week when the president of Minnesota State University in Mankato reported that five international students had revoked their visas. This was discovered after reviewing a database of international student statuses following an incident involving Turkish students at the University of Minnesota.
