The United States government has ordered hundreds of international students—including many Nigerians—to leave the country, following the cancellation of their student visas.
This move, spearheaded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has raised concern among educational institutions and immigration attorneys, who claim that students are being removed from the country without due process.
Several affected students have not been charged with any crimes, yet face immediate deportation.
“Do not attempt to remain in the United States. The federal government will find you,” reads a stern warning allegedly sent via email from the DHS, as shared by immigration attorney Nicole Micheroni.
The policy shift has prompted legal challenges. Immigration lawyer Dustin Baxter, representing over 100 students in a class-action suit, criticized the arbitrary nature of the visa cancellations.
“Even without a conviction—sometimes just an arrest or even a traffic ticket—student visas are being revoked,” he said in an interview with CNN.
Educational institutions are also caught off guard. Stanford University revealed that it only discovered the revocation of visas for four of its students and two recent graduates during a routine check on April 4 through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Traditionally, school officials initiated visa-related actions in SEVIS, but recent reports suggest that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now acting independently of universities.
“They are bypassing the schools altogether,” said Jeff Joseph, president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
One case that has drawn significant public attention involves Rümeysa Öztürk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, who was detained by ICE officers after her visa was revoked without notice.
Court footage reportedly showed her being handcuffed while screaming in distress.
The Trump administration has defended the crackdown, citing national security and foreign policy concerns.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio referenced legal provisions that authorize visa revocations under such conditions.
A State Department spokesperson affirmed the government’s authority to cancel visas at any time and warned that those who fail to comply with visa rules will be deported.