This article was updated on Monday, April 7 at 4:57 p.m.
UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman released a statement in an email to the UCI community today at 12:17 p.m., confirming that the federal government has “revoked” and “terminated” SEVIS records from certain UCI students who are F-1 visa holders.
According to the U.S. Department of State, any international student holding an F-1 visa is allowed to study in the United States at an SEVP-approved school for academic or language programs.
Gillman confirmed that a small number of both undergraduate and graduate students — specifically graduate students currently undergoing Optional Practical Training (OPT) — have had their SEVIS records affected. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, OPT is temporary employment granted to F-1 visa holders who are students in a major area of study.
“The notices indicate that the individuals’ participation in the visa programs ended due to violations of the programs’ terms. While the numbers are fluid, none of these cases are connected to campus disciplinary processes,” Gillman wrote in his statement. “Additionally, we are not aware of any federal law enforcement activity on or near campus associated with these developments.”
Around the same time, the Office of the External Vice President, ASUCI and AGS posted a memo on Instagram that was sent to Gillman and other school administrators with “urgent concerns about the safety and well-being of UC Irvine’s international students whose F-1 visas have been revoked.” The message was sent to Gillman and school administrators yesterday, urging them to release a statement “expressing UC Irvine’s opposition to the Trump administration’s revocation of our student and alumni visas.”
“We feel strongly that all students — including international and undocumented students — have a right to free speech on and off campus,” the memo read. “Our international students should not have to fear revocation of their student visas for doing or saying things our government may not agree with.”
This is a New University breaking update. Read the original breaking news alert below.
UC students across multiple campuses, including UC Irvine, have had their visas revoked by the United States Government.
The UC Office of the President wrote a statement yesterday night that international students from UC campuses have been “impacted by recent SEVIS terminations.”
A student’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record — a web-based system that holds information on exchange students — can be terminated as a result of a visa status violation, according to the UCI International Center. Once visa status is lost, students will be “unable to re-enter the U.S. in a terminated SEVIS record.”
Students Justice for Palestine at UCI made an Instagram post saying that five UCI students have had their visas revoked by the Trump Administration. New University is unable to confirm the number of UCI Students whose visas have been revoked at this time.
No statements regarding the revoked visas have been made by the UCI administration at this time.
New University reached out to ASUCI Internal Vice President Shruti Gundu, who reported that they do not have any additional information regarding the revoked visas. The Office of the Internal Vice President oversees the International Student Advocacy Commission, which supports international students here at UCI.
New University also contacted Assistant Vice Chancellor Micheal Uhlenkamp regarding the revoked visas and was told that they do not have any additional information.
This is a developing story.
Skylar Paxton is the 2024-2025 Editor in Chief. She can be reached at eic@newuniversity.org