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Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
2 recent UW Tacoma grads among international students seeing visas revoked
Two recent international graduates from the University of Washington Tacoma have had their visas revoked by the Trump administration, according to a university spokesperson, as hundreds of students across the United States face similar revocations. University of Washington spokesperson Victor Balta confirmed to The News Tribune on Tuesday that the two graduates had their work authorization revoked but declined to provide any details about the graduates to protect their privacy. The canceling of student visas in recent weeks has prompted lawsuits from states, students and the ACLU, according to multiple media reports. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that at least 790 students at more than 120 colleges and universities across the nation have had visas revoked or legal statuses terminated. While President Donald Trump's administration has targeted political activists, especially pro-Palestinian students, Balta said the University of Washington had no indication that any visa revocations affecting its students or graduates were due to activism or other protected free speech. Balta also did not say when the two UW Tacoma graduates' visas were terminated. In a publicly posted message on April 7, the University of Washington revealed that it had learned visas were canceled without notice across its three campuses for five current students and four recent graduates participating in post-graduation training. Balta confirmed that the two UWT graduates were among those four alumni referenced and, while there had been no new UWT students affected as of Tuesday, he said the university system isn't providing regularly updated figures about impacts at its Seattle campus. 'We are deeply concerned about the well-being of these students and graduates and are working to support them,' the university's message said. 'International students and scholars are essential and valued members of our University and they contribute immensely to our community, state and nation.' The university said it became aware of the cancellations while checking international student records in the federal government's Student & Exchange Visitor Information System, also known as SEVIS. 'The SEVIS record states the visa revocations were due to an immigration status violation,' the university said, adding that no other details were provided and it wasn't aware of any immigration officials coming to UW campuses related to the terminations. On April 8, the university provided an update, noting that its campuses were reaching out to affected students to notify them of the revocations and to connect them with immigration, legal and other aid. It also said it would be monitoring the SEVIS system daily as a proactive measure since the federal government was not providing notice to universities. The four recent graduates whose visas were terminated, including the two from UW Tacoma, were participating in post-completion Optional Practical Training, the university said. The program offers temporary employment related to an F-1 visa student's area of study. Akane Yamaguchi, UW Tacoma's director of international student and scholar services, sent a letter to the campus' international students on March 31. Yamaguchi said records showed no impact to UW Tacoma's population at that time but acknowledged there were reports from other educational institutions that some student visas had been canceled by the Trump administration. 'I understand that this information, as well as recent news stories, can be alarming for members of the international student community,' she wrote. 'I want to assure you that the ISSS staff and University leadership are continuing to monitor the situation closely.' Since students can't access the SEVIS immigration system, Yamaguchi said it was recommended that students remained compliant with the requirements of their visa to ensure their status remained active. It was also recommended that students carry color photocopies of their immigration documents at all times, monitor their university email and be prepared for requirements and potential delays or challenges if needing to travel internationally, she said. As of late last week, no international students at the University of Puget Sound had had their visas revoked, according to university spokesperson Veronica Craker, who said Tuesday that she was not aware of any changes since then. 'I can also share that we have been in contact with individuals who may be impacted and have shared resources that may be useful,' Craker said in an email. A spokesperson for Pacific Lutheran University didn't return multiple messages seeking information.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MSU police arrest 19 after refusing to vacate administration building during pro-Palestinian sit-in
MSU police place a student protestor in handcuffs after they refused to vacate the Hannah Administration Building. April 10, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz 17 MSU students and two community members were arrested Thursday evening by Michigan State University police officers inside the Hannah Administration Building during a pro-Palestinian sit-in protest held inside the building's lobby. The arrests came around 8 p.m. after MSU Police Lieutenant Kim Parviainen gave the third and final warning for the demonstrators to leave the building. The confrontation occurred after a rally organized by various student organizations, including the Hurriya Coalition and Students for Justice in Palestine, or SJP, among others, and a subsequent meeting between MSU officials and members of these student organizations inside the administration building. During the rally, at least 50 people, including students, MSU faculty, and community members, gathered at 4 p.m. at the doors of the MSU administration building to demand answers and future actions regarding the revoked visas of MSU students, the university's stance on divestment from Israel, and its position toward Trump administration policies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'The point of education is to come to understand more about the world, more about history, and our relationship to the time we live in right now', said Zadok Miller, 20, pre-law, political science, and English student. 'So, for our institutions to remain neutral and not provide active support for students who are affected by fascism is very hypocritical.' On April 7, the visas of several international MSU students were revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security without any explanation. They were among the hundreds of visas revoked for international students across the country and dozens more across the state of Michigan. It's part of an effort by the Trump administration to revoke visas of foreign students who may have been involved in pro-Palestinian activism or protests, as well as those determined to have engaged in antisemitism through social media. The Office for International Students and Scholars recommends that international students should have a plan B in case they need to complete their studies remotely and if they are unable to access their Student & Exchange Visitor Information System to verify their status. As a result, on Wednesday, April 9, MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz issued a campus letter to MSU students, expressing his concern about the current situation and his commitment to ensuring a safe space for international students and scholars. 'I am in Washington, D.C. today, meeting with congressional leaders and speaking about these concerns and the anxiety our students and university community are experiencing', wrote Guskiewicz in his letter. Although Guskiewicz's words somewhat pleased the rally attendees, they did not convince them about his stand. 'It was better than some other things he released in the past, but it lacks a clear plan of action to actually protect international students,' said Jesse Estrada White, 21, a Comparative Cultures and Policies student and member of the Hurriya coalition movement. 'We are glad he was in Washington, but we want to see policy changes that will protect our international classmates.' Chants such as 'Not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israel's crimes' and 'This is what democracy looks like' were heard during the rally, which continued without incident, along with some speeches by students and the general public. Around 5 p.m., a group of 14 students and members of the organizations engaged in a pre-arranged dialogue with the MSU Board of Trustees to clarify and address the demands these students brought to the table. Among their demands, the students highlighted divestment from Israel, Saudi Arabia, and weapons manufacturers, adding social conscience back into investment policy, the creation of a Middle East North Africa/Arab Studies Institute, and protections for international students. Before the demands were presented, the Board of Trustees was informed by the students that, while the conversation was taking place, some students were peacefully occupying the building and that the occupation would be lifted if an agreement was reached on the demands. 'No one in this room, and no one downstairs, wants to be in this position, but the reason for this meeting is not confrontation; it is by resolution. The occupation is the way to raise urgency and concern among our students', said Nasim Barghouti, 21, President of SJP. Trustee Dennis Denno stated that it is was if the trustees started with a gun to their heads After clarifying the actions taken up to that point and the disagreements on the part of the board, Trustee Mike Balow stated, 'The fact that we're here is something, so let's get started.' The meeting lasted a little over an hour, with back-and-forth between both sides over the demands, but in the end, they did not reach an agreement. Regarding international student protection, the demands from student organizations included: providing legal assistance for students in immigration or visa-related cases; ensuring that the Department of Public Safety does not cooperate with ICE; guaranteeing that all international students have the opportunity to complete their degree online if deported; and committing to join the Rutgers Faculty Bill, an official resolution proposed by the Rutgers University Senate to create a mutual academic defense compact among the universities that are part of the Big Ten academic alliance. Regarding ICE cooperation, the executive director of public safety, Mike Yankowski, stated that the Department of Public Safety does not cooperate with federal agents unless there is a court order or a process involving crimes. President Guskiewicz stated that any support for international students facing deportation would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and that, so far, no student has been deported. He also acknowledged by answering the demands that there is currently no program in place to guarantee the completion of their studies in such situations and that no efforts have yet been made to develop one. In addition, Trustee Brianna Scott explained that there are multiple factors, such as internship credits, in-person lab requirements, and housing location, that justify evaluating each deported student's case individually. At the end of the meeting, David Hogan, 20, a social relations and policy student and member of the Hurriya Coalition, stated that no agreement was actually reached and that the board was constantly making quick excuses for their demands. At 6:30 p.m., two police officers were at the doors of the administrative building, and in front of them, in the lobby, were dozens of students and the general public chanting and haranguing anti-genocide chants while marching around the first floor. From time to time, those inside the building would sit in circles, hold hands, and sing or give speeches. Only 17 people stayed after the three warnings given by the police. They were singing, giving each other emotional support. One by one, they were handcuffed and taken to the east wing of the building while students outside protested against the arrests. By the minute, more students were arriving at the protest, reaching more than 50 people outside the building, waiting for the transport of those arrested to the police station. However, it wasn't until nearly 10 p.m. that everyone was released through the south door of the building. They had been processed inside the building and charged with trespassing. This is the second time pro-Palestinian student activists have been arrested and charged with trespassing in less than a year for a sit-in demonstration inside the MSU administrative building. In October, five student protestors were arrested for trespassing after also refusing to leave the Hannah Administration Building. 'They handcuffed us and processed us inside; they didn't take us somewhere else, and we were charged with trespassing,' said Laura Sager, 72, who was arrested at the administration building. MSU police place a student protestor in handcuffs after they refused to vacate the Hannah Administration Building. April 10, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz MSU police place a student protestor in handcuffs after they refused to vacate the Hannah Administration Building. April 10, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Demonstrators at a rally organized by various MSU student organizations, including the Hurriya Coalition and Students for Justice in Palestine. April 10, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Demonstrators at a rally organized by various MSU student organizations, including the Hurriya Coalition and Students for Justice in Palestine. April 10, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Demonstrator at a rally organized by various MSU student organizations, including the Hurriya Coalition and Students for Justice in Palestine. April 10, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Demonstrators at a rally organized by various MSU student organizations, including the Hurriya Coalition and Students for Justice in Palestine. April 10, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Demonstrators at a rally organized by various MSU student organizations, including the Hurriya Coalition and Students for Justice in Palestine. April 10, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Demonstrators at a rally organized by various MSU student organizations, including the Hurriya Coalition and Students for Justice in Palestine. April 10, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz and MSU trustees talk with students demanding protections for international students and divestment from Israel, among other things. April 10, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz MSU Trustee Dennis Denno speaks with students demanding protections for international students and divestment from Israel, among other things. April 10, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Student protestors, holding hands in solidarity, refuse to vacate the Hannah Administration Building. April 10, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Student protestors, holding hands in solidarity, refuse to vacate the Hannah Administration Building. April 10, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Four international students at WMU have lost SEVIS status, school says
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Four international students at Western Michigan University have been removed from the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System, the school says. 'Termination of SEVIS status can lead to being asked to leave the country,' a notice on the school's website says. 'Whether individuals will ultimately have their visas revoked is under the purview of the U.S. Department of State.' Colleges around the US say some international students' visas are being revoked The school says it has more than 2,000 international students enrolled, both in Michigan and abroad. WMU says federal officials did not notify the students or the school about the SEVIS terminations, which were discovered by staff members who monitor the system. It said the school is working with the impacted students to explore their options, and will continue to monitor for any other record terminations. International students across the country are having their SEVIS statues terminated or their visas revoked. In Michigan, two students had their visas revoked at Grand Valley State University and an unknown number of students had their visas revoked at Michigan State University, the schools say. Some international students at Central Michigan University have also had their SEVIS status terminated, CMU said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UW students' visas revoked without notice due to new federal policies
As of this writing, five current University of Washington students, plus four recent graduates in a post-grad training program, have had their visas revoked by the federal government without any prior warning, the university wrote. 'We became aware of these actions during recent checks of international student records in the federal government's Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The SEVIS record states the visa revocations were due to an immigration status violation,' UW said. The university said that neither it nor the students impacted were given any kind of warning before the visas were 'unilaterally cancelled.' No additional information or details were provided. Despite rumors and other instances across the country, UW officials do not seem to believe that there is any indication that these revocations are due to any kind of activism or other protected free speech. Last spring, students set up an encampment on the Quad in protest over the school's financial ties to Israel. They are also not aware of immigration officials coming onto the campus related to this situation. According to The New York Times, as of 9 a.m. on April 8, nearly 300 international students have been abruptly stripped of their visas. The NYT said some immigration officers have arrested international students related to their involvement in pro-Palestinian causes. In other cases, students had committed other legal infractions, such as driving over the speed limit or while intoxicated, oftentimes many years ago. 'We are deeply concerned about the well-being of these students and graduates and are working to support them. International students and scholars are essential and valued members of our University and they contribute immensely to our community, state and nation. The UW will continue to support them and provide the resources they need to be to able learn, teach and succeed here,' the university said in a statement. 'Our priority remains supporting our international students and scholars and we will continue to proactively communicate directly with them about these issues. Because the federal government is not notifying universities of status changes, we have been checking SEVIS records daily so that we can proactively contact students whose records have been changed,' the statement continued. The university said that if a student is impacted or has their visa revoked to contact international student services office immediately for information and resources. These resources include access to legal services available to students as part of their student fees, as well as mental health and academic support. KIRO 7′s Deborah Horne will have more on the story at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
