The University of Chicago has confirmed that visas were revoked for seven of its international students in what appears to be a broader sweep by the Trump administration across several states. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, three students currently enrolled at the university and four who had recently graduated had their F-1 visa statuses terminated; this news comes amid an ongoing crackdown on immigration and a pattern of visa revocations for students nationwide.
In response to the troubling developments, the University of Chicago stated, "The University of Chicago is committed to continued deep engagement and active exchange with international students, scholars, and visitors," an assurance laid out in a statement that was underlined by their promise to assist those affected in the international community.
Genevieve Lakier, the constitutional law professor, told CBS News Chicago, "Right now, I think for all non-U.S. citizens, it's a very scary time to be in this country," highlighting the lack of transparency and an increasing vulnerability faced by international students. The widespread revocations that include University of Pennsylvania, University of California, Berkeley, Michigan State University, University of Colorado, and University of Michigan, bring into focus the precariousness of their position; as the affected students grapple with the sudden change, institutions have offered the assistance of immigration attorneys to those stripped of their visa status.
The U.S. State Department has remained tight-lipped, citing privacy issues and visa confidentiality when pressured for detailed justifications; "We don't discuss individual visas because of the privacy issues involved," said spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, who suggests that security and public safety concerns figure into these decisions.
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