US revokes visas daily, will continue, says Trump admin on student anxiety

Trump-Era Visa Policies: America’s world-renowned higher education system has long been a beacon for ambitious minds worldwide. Among those drawn to its prestigious institutions are over 300,000 Indian students, making them the largest international student group in the United States. Nearly 100,000 of them are employed under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, contributing significantly to American academia, research, and innovation.

But the very foundation of that academic journey is now being shaken.

In a swift and unexpected move, the Trump administration initiated widespread SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) terminations, stripping thousands of international students, many of them Indian, of their legal status. The decision, which included visa revocations without proper individual assessment, has left Indian students in America reeling in uncertainty, anxiety, and fear.

Cancelled Dreams, Abandoned Plans

What should have been a break from the intense rigors of doctoral studies turned into a moment of dread for a PhD student at the University of California, San Diego. Alongside friends, he had planned a well-earned vacation to Hawaii. But news spread fast—dozens of students across universities were reportedly losing their legal status without warning.

“I probably am going to skip that to… have as few interactions with governments as possible,” the student shared with the Associated Press, requesting anonymity.

At the University of Illinois, another student revealed he has been “laying low” ever since a classmate was forced out of the country following a SEVIS termination. With tickets booked to visit family in Asia, the student now fears he might not be permitted re-entry into the United States.

“Right now, I’m afraid I might not be able to come back,” he confessed.

A Chilling Message to International Students

Responding to concerns raised by Business Standard, a US State Department spokesperson defended the actions, stating that “the Department of State revokes visas every day in order to secure America’s borders.” The official emphasized that visa issuance and SEVIS tracking are distinct processes—one managed by the State Department, the other overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

But these technical clarifications offer little comfort to affected students, many of whom say they were not given due process.

Visa Policies: Legal Backlash and Fear of Arbitrary Action

Charles Kuck, a leading immigration attorney, told Business Standard that over 130 students, more than one-third of them from India—have retained his firm after falling out of legal status. “Students have the legal right to sue the government for illegal actions,” he said, urging immediate legal counsel for anyone whose SEVIS record has been cancelled.

An in-depth review by the Associated Press found that since late March, at least 1,220 students across 187 academic institutions had their visas revoked or status terminated. Some fled the country. Others quit attending classes. A few have reportedly gone underground, fearing deportation.

Mass Actions, Minimal Review

Sheela Murthy, president of the US-based Murthy Law Firm, voiced grave concerns over how the DHS handled these terminations.

“It appears that anyone who had an old traffic ticket, court appearance, or minor incident on record was swept up in a digital dragnet,” Murthy explained. “They may have used AI to issue blanket revocations without confirming if they were throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”

She noted that many students had clean records or had their minor cases dismissed, yet still faced the consequences. “The revocations and terminations in such cases would clearly violate US legal standards and due process.”

Indian Students Rethinking the American Dream

Even before this crackdown, there had been signs of declining interest in studying in the US. According to official State Department figures, Indian student visa issuances dropped by 50% in January compared to the same month the previous year.

And now, with uncertainty and fear hanging over the legal status of Indian students in America, the number is expected to fall further.

“The message from the government seems to be: ‘We don’t want your best and brightest,’” said Kuck.

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