The US State Department has revoked the viisas of 40 individuals associated with Northeastern University, of which 18 are current students and 22 are alumni, according to Renata Nyul, Vice President for Communications at the university. This information was first reported by The Huntington News, a student newspaper at Northeastern.
These cancellations of visas are occurring amidst increased scrutiny over immigration. Northeastern, which has more than 24,000 international graduates and students at its ten US campuses, recently revised its public advice on April 6. The university suggested that the victims retain evidence of their legal status and identity and remain cautious regarding scams targeting international scholars and students.
The university explained on its FAQ page entitled "Navigating a New Political Landscape," as noted by The Huntington News, that there has been no evidence proving that any Northeastern student or recent alumnus lost their status because of political activities or speech.
As of April 7, the other universities within the Boston region reported a total of 23 other visa cancellations, targeting students and graduates from institutions such as Harvard University, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Boston, and Berklee College of Music.
Nyul would not elaborate on an exact count of individuals affected, saying that the situation is still fluid. "We are not giving a specific number because the situation is fluid," she told The Huntington News.
A State Department spokesperson told The Boston Globe, "The United States has zero tolerance for foreigners who break US laws. Those who commit crimes, including students, can be refused visas, have their visas revoked, and/or be deported.
Visa cancellations have generally been rare and largely associated with criminality or arrests. But Northeastern's Office of Global Services has noted that "recent actions reflect a broader strategy by the US government." In March already, the university had warned international students not to travel because an executive order restricted arrival from 43 nations deemed "of particular concern."
Northeastern comes in second in the US by international students, with 21,023 students recorded for the 2023–24 academic year, as reported by the Institute of International Education.
Huntington News indicated that revocations have affected students involved in all sorts of things, ranging from pro-Palestinian rallies to such things as traffic tickets. On 25th March, a Tufts University doctoral student was arrested by immigration officials without being informed previously of her visa status. This prompted quite massive protests, with a crowd of more than 2,000 showing up the day after.
On April 5, thousands demonstrated during the "Hands Off" protests across the country, with a large protest at Boston Common.
Northeastern has encouraged anyone who has questions regarding university-sponsored employment visas to contact the Office of General Counsel and recommended that independent visa holders consult lawyers. The Global Safety Operations Center has also established a 24/7 hotline for individuals who are experiencing immigration enforcement on campus.
