Government Rollbacks Trigger Visa Crisis for International Students
A federal immigration crackdown has upended legal status for thousands of international students, many attending small Christian colleges. In late April, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began quietly deleting student visa records from SEVIS, the government’s immigration tracking system. These deletions stripped at least 1,800 students of their legal right to stay in the U.S. With little to no explanation, students were suddenly undocumented, and their academic careers were halted.
Christian Colleges Hit Hard by Sudden Terminations
Campbellsville University in Kentucky, where international students make up nearly a third of enrollment, was among the hardest hit. Other evangelical institutions, including Baylor and Concordia University Wisconsin, reported record deletions. Over 60 students across the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) network lost legal status. Schools scrambled to respond amid vague government communication and escalating student anxiety.
Lack of Transparency Fuels Legal and Emotional Turmoil
The reasons for the terminations ranged from minor offenses, like dismissed traffic tickets, to no known cause. Some records were deleted after students filed police reports as crime victims. A federal judge described DHS’s actions as “arbitrary and capricious.” Lawsuits quickly followed, with students fearing deportation and some even fleeing the country. One Campbellsville student’s family took out a $3,000 loan to fund legal defense.
Reinstatements Bring Partial Relief, Lingering Doubts
On April 25, DHS began restoring student statuses, citing the development of a new review system. The reversal brought momentary relief, but officials warned that reinstatements might not be permanent. Administrators must now manually review and request corrections, a burden for schools with limited staff and resources. “Records are getting corrected, but not consistently,” said Peter Thomas of Campbellsville.
Uncertainty Threatens Future International Enrollment
Despite some resolutions, schools remain on edge. Scam calls, rumors of ICE visits, and institutional silence contribute to ongoing unease. With international students serving as a vital financial lifeline, colleges fear long-term enrollment damage. “The U.S. doesn’t look as friendly,” said CCCU president David Hoag. The broader implications for American higher education remain unclear.
Source:
How ICE Deleted International Students at Christian Colleges
Photo by Anete L?si?a on Unsplash
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