‘Never seen before': Centre County DA says at least 12 student visas revoked for retail theft
At least a dozen international students in Centre County have had their student visas revoked in the last two weeks, the county's district attorney said Saturday.
Penn State Global's interim vice provost confirmed on April 3 that some Penn State international students have had their lawful status revoked. At the time, Penn State would not share more information, including how many students have been impacted.
Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna said from his office, they've seen 12 students whose visas were revoked due to retail theft. He said each of those students was placed in a diversion program and was not convicted of any crimes.
A 13th person had their status revoked due to a DUI; they participated in a DUI diversion program for first offenses, Cantorna said. None of them had any prior criminal records, he said, and most have already returned to their home countries.
'This is just a small snapshot over the last two weeks, but it's something that we have never seen before,' Cantorna wrote in an email to the Centre Daily Times. 'We are tracking what comes through the legal system but it is a small percentage.'
Penn State did not immediately respond to an inquiry on Saturday. The university is one of at least 170 colleges and universities across the United States that have said some international students and recent graduates have had their legal status revoked, according to Inside Higher Ed. This comes as the Donald Trump administration has made immigration one of its top priorities.
State Rep. Paul Takac (D-College Township), in a statement Friday, said he is alarmed by these reports at Penn State and called the Trump administration's actions 'Un-American.'
'The sudden termination of legal status due to political expression, minor infractions, or otherwise mysterious circumstances violates our shared values of free speech, justice, and due process,' Takac said. 'The targeting of international faculty, staff, or students erodes trust in our communities and diminishes our standing in the world.'
The University Park campus falls within Takac's district; he said he's been engaged with university leadership and law enforcement on the matter and is monitoring the federal actions and policies.
'I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that we live up to our highest ideals and adhere to strict legal standards and precedent,' Takac said. 'And while we know of no current ICE actions to date on campus or in our community, I — along with other elected officials and university leaders — remain vigilant.'
Sabine Klahr, interim vice provost of Penn State Global, included some guidance and resources available to international students in an April 3 letter to the community. The International Student and Scholar Advising in Penn State Global recommends international students keep their documentation regarding their visa status up to date and to carry copies of proof of status.
The letter states federal law enforcement officers can't enter private spaces — like residence halls, locked offices or other secured university spaces — without a warrant. Classrooms are not private spaces.
If someone is approached by ICE or other federal officers on campus, they should call University Police 814-863-1111, the letter states.
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