The University of Northern Iowa has confirmed that two international UNI students have been flagged in the federal Student Exchange and Visitor Information System, the system where student visas are kept and maintained. The University of Iowa has confirmed that international students have seen their visas revoked from SEVIS, with at least five international student visas being revoked at the University of Iowa. At this time, UNI has not reported any student visa revocation.
“UNI continues to engage in conversations with students as we provide support or direct them to where they can receive needed services,” the Director of University Relations Pete Moris, said in a statement to the Northern Iowan. The Office of International Engagement referred the Northern Iowan to Moris for questions regarding international student SEVIS flagging. At this time, the university declined to share further information to protect the identities of the international students currently affected.
International students normally maintain a F-1, M-1 or J-1 visa while attending university in the U.S. SEVIS is the system used to track international students, their visas and their student status at their corresponding institution. According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), “Universities must report in SEVIS the nonimmigrant student’s initial admission, course load, when they transfer, extend their stay, or engage in employment, as well as when their address changes.” The AILA also says that visa revocation is under the discretion of the U.S. government, but revocation when a student is already in the U.S. only occurs under “extreme circumstances.” These circumstances typically include being found guilty of a crime in the U.S.
Once a visa is revoked by the U.S. government, the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can initiate removal of the student, if the student has violated the law. Otherwise, ICE can initiate removal of the student under INA 237(a)(4)(C), the pretense that “[a]n alien whose presence or activities in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States is deportable,” according to the AILA. The AILA said in a brief that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reported up to 300 visas have been revoked under this pretense. At this time, the University of Iowa Campaign to Organize Graduate Students union has reported that ICE has not yet approached any international students whose visas have been revoked. UNI has not seen any international student visa revocation in SEVIS as of Tuesday, April 22.
“We are closely monitoring issues that affect international students. The UNI Office of International Engagement (OIE) is checking the SEVIS database regularly and will reach out if we see a change in status for any current students. We strongly encourage you to immediately consult with OIE if you receive any notice or have any concerns,” the university said in an email to UNI’s 203 international students in the wake of SEVIS flagging and revocation across the regent universities. “As we navigate these uncertain times, we want to remind you of your rights and responsibilities as international students in the U.S. and at UNI.” The university encourages international students to carry their documentation with them at all times and continue to comply with visa requirements, as well as updating the OIE with any phone number or address changes.
