Los Angeles, California – The Trump administration’s recent cancellation of numerous international student visas at various California campuses has sparked concern among university leaders, students, and faculty. Confirmed by sources at UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Berkeley, and Stanford, the visa revocations have left many questioning the motives behind the sudden actions. At UCLA, at least eight international students were affected, leading to uncertainty among academic communities. While the reasons for the cancellations remain unclear, campus officials are working to provide support to impacted students.
UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla addressed the situation in a campus message, revealing that five students had their visas revoked without warning. The abrupt nature of the decision left many puzzled and concerned about the future of the affected individuals. Likewise, officials at Stanford disclosed that four students and two recent graduates had also fallen victim to the visa cancellations. The lack of transparency surrounding the reasons for the revocations has raised alarms within academic circles.
UC Berkeley confirmed that four visas were revoked, affecting both current students and recent graduates participating in a professional training visa program. The anonymous UC official revealed that UC Irvine was also impacted by the visa actions. The broader University of California system acknowledged the challenges faced by international students and expressed a commitment to supporting all members of the community during this uncertain time.
The cancellations are part of a wider trend that unfolded across campuses in the United States, catching school administrators off guard. Similar visa revocations were reported at universities such as the University of Kentucky, University of Oregon, and Ohio State University. While previous actions by the Trump administration targeted pro-Palestinian activists, the motives behind the recent cancellations remain unclear, leaving many to question the implications for international students.
In light of these developments, student government leaders at UCLA issued a joint statement expressing solidarity with international students and emphasizing their importance to the campus community. The ongoing visa cancellations have raised concerns about free speech rights and the treatment of international students studying in the U.S. As universities grapple with the fallout from these actions, the need for greater transparency and support for affected individuals becomes increasingly urgent.