Federal immigration authorities revoke 4 UNLV international students' visas
Officer in Charge Chris Heavey made the announcement in an email to the campus community stating, 'We have learned that four of our international students have had their visas revoked by federal immigration authorities. We will not identify the students in accordance with federal privacy laws.'
Heavey acknowledged that the news may be difficult for some on campus and that similar instances have affected several universities and colleges across the country. Heavey went on to say that the university was 'prepared for this possibility.'
The university has offered support and guidance to students including helping those in need to fulfill the requirements necessary to complete their spring semester.
Heavey's statement read in full:
We have learned that four of our international students have had their visas revoked by federal immigration authorities. We will not identify the students in accordance with federal privacy laws.
We recognize that this news may be difficult for some. Unfortunately, similar circumstances are affecting many universities and colleges across the country, and so we were prepared for this possibility. We are offering support and guidance to the students during this difficult time, including helping those in need to fulfill requirements necessary to complete their spring semester.
UNLV remains steadfast in our commitment to helping all of our students achieve their academic goals, and we will approach any similar future situations with the same mindset and support.
Finally, we are grateful the university has immigration resources for those in need. For example, the UNLV Immigration Clinic's University Legal Services program, part of the Boyd School of Law, offers free immigration legal services, including DACA assistance, to current students, faculty and staff, and their families. The clinic also helps students and others navigate immigration laws and processes. The University Police Department has created a Q and A document as a helpful resource to understand rights and responsibilities related to federal immigration. If anyone is in need of support services following this news, we urge you to please utilize our mental health and wellness resources, or talk to a friend or colleague. We are here for one another.
Officer in Charge Chris Heavey
In March the the Education Department announced it is investigating more than 50 colleges — including UNLV — over what it called 'racial preferences' in academics or scholarships, a move that comes amid the Trump administration's wider crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The department said 45 schools were under investigation for partnering with the Ph.D Project, which it says is 'an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants.'
Three former UNLV professors — including one who died in the fatal on-campus shooting on Dec. 6, 2023 — participated in the program. UNLV, in a statement, acknowledged its professors' involvement in the Ph.D project.
Slain UNLV professor part of program under federal DEI probe
'UNLV is aware of the federal investigation,' the statement said. 'Three former UNLV professors were participants in the mentoring program known as the PHD Project.
Navarro Velez, one of the professors cited in UNLV's statement about the federal investigation, died in the December 2023 shooting on UNLV's campus in which three faculty members died.
Known as 'Pat,' Navarro Velez was a beloved member of the UNLV accounting and Lee Business School community and family, Dr. Jason Smith, Department of Accounting chair and professor at Lee Business School said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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