University of Iowa grad student’s visa revoked; UI unaware of a violation

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa administrators have learned the U.S. Department of State has canceled the visa of a UI graduate student, and the university’s graduate student union said it believes more international students are affected.

“We know of at least two UI students who recently had their visas flagged or revoked,” UI graduate student union spokesperson Greg Wickenkamp told The Gazette about those tagged by federal agents in the Student Exchange and Visitor Information System, or SEVIS.

In a message distributed across campus Thursday, UI International Programs Director Russell Ganim affirmed the broad impact of new immigration policies on international students.

“I am writing to share resources as federal activities are having an impact on international students at dozens of universities across the country, and in Iowa,” Ganim wrote. “On April 4, the university learned the U.S. Department of State had canceled the visa of a University of Iowa graduate student. The university did not initiate the action and was not aware of any violation.”

UI International Student and Scholar Services “immediately alerted the student, offered to meet, and outlined next steps,” Ganim said, promising to do the same for any students affected by the new presidential administration’s immigration crackdown.

“In the event ISSS learns of a change in your status, we will reach out immediately to share guidance and outline next steps,” he wrote.

Ganim in his message noted the university is not authorized to offer personal legal advice, and he directed individuals potentially impacted to the Iowa State Bar Association, the Law Clinic at Iowa Law and Student Legal Services.

“International students and scholars are valued members of the Iowa community,” he wrote.

In a news release on the heels of that message, the UI-based Campaign to Organize Graduate Students — or COGS — accused the State Department of creating “fear and chaos for international students and researchers at the University of Iowa.”

“COGS recognizes university resources are currently overwhelmed and they are likely able to offer little support for international students beyond encouraging them to find their own legal counsel,” according to the union statement. “In light of such spurious attacks on scholars and immigrants, we urge the University of Iowa, our community, and individuals to do whatever they are able to resist such blatant authoritarianism designed to terrorize our international students.”

Acknowledging “this is a scary time,” the union promised its members to “do whatever we can, putting our bodies on the line, in order to protect each other.”

“We urge other individuals and organizations to take a similar stance,” it said.

Union officials advised that students flagged in the exchange and visitor system don’t need to self-deport. “Their student status, which is different from a student visa, is likely still valid and they should check with UI’s Immigration Law Clinic,” according to COGS.

The UI news comes amid reports nationally of hundreds of student visas being revoked in more than half the states — including dozens at campuses like Long Island’s Stony Brook University, Johns Hopkins University and Clark University, among others.

Most UI international students are pursuing their studies on a F-1 visa — requiring they comply with a list of responsibilities like taking a full course load, maintaining a valid passport and staying in good academic standing.

Should a student’s visa be revoked, according to national media reports, they often can stay in the country to finish their studies but can’t reenter the United States if they leave. Should their legal residency be revoked too, they could be detained and deported.

A Louisiana judge considering one of the most prominent cases — Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, an activist who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and was detained last month — affirmed Friday the Trump administration can deport him. The judge found that Khalil posed a national security threat, according to the Associated Press.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

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