16-04-2025
Florida students' visas revoked amid Trump immigration crackdown
Federal immigration authorities have revoked the visas of at least two dozen international students from Florida universities.
Why it matters: The Trump administration has expanded efforts to revoke student visas nationwide — often without immediate explanation — leaving many students scrambling and fearful.
The big picture: Nationally, more than 1,000 students have had their visas revoked, per Inside Higher Ed.
The administration has claimed some lost their status because they were affiliated with pro-Palestinian protests.
For others, revocation was attributed to a crime or traffic offense or reasons unknown, Axios' Avery Lotz reported.
State of play: As of Monday morning, at least 26 student visas had been revoked across the state — 18 from Florida International University and eight from the University of Florida, according to Inside Higher Ed, which is tracking the revocations.
At FIU, 11 were current students, while seven were recent graduates on Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students with F-1 status to receive training, the Miami New Times reported.
Reality check: But the number of students affected could be far greater, with the burden falling to universities to track changes and inform those impacted.
Case in point: The University of South Florida in Tampa told Axios the university is aware some students "have experienced a change in their visa status," but declined to provide a number when asked.
Changes to students' visas could be made by the federal government "without notice or explanation" to the university, a spokesperson said.
The latest: At least three public universities — UF, USF and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton — are seeking partnerships with federal authorities to carry out immigration enforcement on campuses, the Associated Press reported.
