Could Your Student Visa Be Canceled?
New White House policies are challenging the immigration status of international college students across the United States, and Virginia is no exception. At least one student at UVA Charlottesville has recently had a student visa canceled, leaving all noncitizen students feeling anxious and unsettled.
The University learned of the visa cancellation on Friday, April 4, and communicated with the affected student and the community the same day. Over the past two months, more than 200 international students have been stripped of their ability to remain at a university in the U.S. This has led to confusion and frustration as universities attempt to help these students face detention and potential deportation.
Both private institutions like Harvard and Stanford and public universities, including the University of California, Minnesota State University, and the University of Texas at Austin, have been targeted. If you are worried that your student visa may be canceled, your best course of action is to contact a Sterling, VA, immigration attorney as quickly as possible. This can help you understand your options and get a better idea of what may happen and how you could potentially prevent it.
Make Sure You Have No Charges Against You – Even Traffic Violations
In the past, students whose student visas were revoked were allowed to keep their legal residency status and complete their degrees, but that is no longer the case. The loss of residency status means the students must either leave immediately, which many of them do not have the ability or financial means to do, or they will be placed in detention by ICE and eventually deported.
Leaders at many colleges only learned of the student visa cancellations after checking a Homeland Security database. Most of the noncitizen students have had their visas or statuses terminated with no clear justification, although in some cases, participation in political actions or minor traffic infractions may be used to justify removal.
Students of color have been disproportionately targeted when they are involved in campus pro-Palestine (peaceful) protests, facing arrests and threats of deportation, or having their visas revoked. Since it is hard to determine who will be targeted next, students should have a plan in place if their student visas are canceled.
Many of these students rely on scholarships and educational support to obtain their degrees and create a better living situation for other family members. Noncitizen students in the United States on a student visa should refrain from participating in any type of student protest, and those with traffic infractions should take care of those issues as quickly as possible.
Legalizing the status of students here on student visas is a complex process that might include family sponsorship, special programs, deferred action, employment-based immigration, or asylum. It is beneficial to speak to a compassionate, knowledgeable immigration attorney who can help determine the best way to legally remain in the U.S. and finish college.
How Do Student Visas Work?
Students in other countries must meet a series of requirements to come to the United States on a student visa – usually an F-1 visa. After gaining admission to the university, the noncitizen students must apply and interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. The student must demonstrate that he or she has sufficient financial resources to obtain their degree and must remain in good standing academically. These international students may be limited in their ability to work off-campus while attending the university.
Contact a Prince William County, VA Immigration Attorney
If your immigration status is in jeopardy, make an appointment with a Fairfax, VA immigration attorney from The Estevez Group, PC to discuss your situation. Attorney Estevez works hard to help people in crisis, is caring, and is available 24/7. She is also fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. Call 703-829-5179 to schedule your free consultation.
