At the University of Memphis, upheaval has cast a shadow across its campus as five international students grapple with the abrupt revocation of their visas. Action News 5 reported that the school is currently assisting these students, attempting to navigate the bureaucratic labyrinth that has befallen them. This sudden change is a component of what appears to be a nationwide pattern, with Memphis witnessing a fresh wave of SEVIS record terminations along this city's foremost academic institution.
Immigration attorney Adam Cohen clarified the distinction between a student's visa and their actual immigration status, explaining, "the student VISA is not their status." Governed by their I-94 documentation, students' permitted duration on U.S. soil is at stake, as reported by Action News 5. The legal sector has since raised questions regarding the legality of the SEVIS terminations that unfolded on Wednesday.
The atmosphere at the University of Memphis has grown tense with fear and uncertainty after the incident. As FOX13 highlights, the well-being of more than 1,700 international students is now in flux. Some students, like Mallika Golla, have expressed their shaken sense of security, telling FOX13, "It doesn’t feel secure, to be honest. It feels like, 'What’s going to happen?' Like, we can’t predict what’s going to happen."
Adding to this, immigration attorney Andrew Rankin denounced the inconsistency between the Department of Homeland Security's public policy and internal practices. "Both people who have had their visas revoked or terminated and people who haven’t yet—because you never know when you might be next. So I think it’s good to have an action plan," Rankin suggested in an interview with FOX13. He urges students to adopt a proactive approach, advising them to understand their rights and consider legal consultation.
The situation at the University of Memphis mirrors actions seen at other institutions, such as nine visa revocations at the University of Tennessee and another five at the University of Arkansas, as noted by a statement sent to ABC24. Currently, the University of Memphis officials are still piecing together what precipitated the visa terminations and evaluating if there's any recourse to reinstate the students' legal status.
