Update on Student Visa Revocations and SEVIS Terminations

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This message was originally sent to all international students and scholars by email on April 15, 2025

Dear International Huskies,

We are writing today with additional information on the changing U.S. immigration landscape related to international student visa revocations and terminated SEVIS records. Over the past week hundreds of international students at universities across the U.S. have had their visas revoked and/or their SEVIS records terminated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with no notice provided to the university.

Unfortunately, international students at UConn have also been impacted by these actions. We want to explain in more detail what a SEVIS record is, and how ISSS is responding to these actions. We also want to assure you that we are closely monitoring SEVIS for record changes while coordinating support for impacted students. You will be contacted directly by ISSS should your SEVIS record be impacted as described; it is not necessary to contact ISSS to request a verification of your SEVIS status.

Background Information

  • The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS, is a federal database with records for each student and exchange visitor in the U.S. on an F-1/F-2 or J-1/J-2 visa. When you are admitted or invited to UConn and request an I-20 form (F-1) or DS-2019 form (J-1), UConn creates a record for you in SEVIS. UConn is required to use SEVIS as a condition of sponsoring your visa. Your SEVIS record has all the information that is listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 form, plus additional information that must be kept up to date per federal visa regulations.
  • Each SEVIS record has a “status”. Before you arrive in the U.S., your SEVIS status is in “initial” status. After you arrive and check in, UConn updates the status to “active”. When you finish your program, your SEVIS record is “complete”. However, in some cases your record could be updated to “Terminated”- this can happen if you intentionally or unintentionally do something that is not permitted under the F/J visa regulations, or if you leave your program before completing.
  • In the recent cases of SEVIS terminations/visa revocations, the government has terminated student SEVIS records without communicating with schools about why the actions were taken.
  • Factors that appear to put students at a higher risk of SEVIS termination include having a prior arrest or documented criminal activity, public participation in political activism, or having a prior visa revocation.
  • The legal consequences of having a government-terminated SEVIS record are unclear, and students in this situation should work with legal counsel to understand the implications for their legal status in the U.S.

What is ISSS doing in response?

  • Every day, multiple times per day, ISSS staff review student, scholar and OPT lists in the SEVIS database to look for changes in SEVIS status.
  • If ISSS identifies a SEVIS record that was terminated by the government, they will contact the student/scholar and their academic department by email as soon as possible.  While having a terminated SEVIS record will not impact a student’s academic status, it will prevent them from working in the U.S. and may limit access to services where the immigration status needs to be verified, like at the DMV.
  • ISSS will provide the impacted student with a list of immigration attorneys and guidance on how to engage with the immigration attorney.
  • ISSS works with a team of campus partners who are working to evaluate academic and support options for each student or scholar and provide logistical and emotional support. Students can expect to receive support from ISSS, Dean of Students, The Graduate School, their academic departments and others.
  • Each student or scholar case is different, and the options available to each student or scholar will also be different.
  • In general when a student’s record is terminated the following happens:
  • Student loses all on- and/or off-campus employment authorization.
  • Student cannot re-enter the United States on the terminated SEVIS record.
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents may investigate to confirm the departure of the student.
  • Any associated F-2 or M-2 dependent records are terminated.”

 

What can you do during this time?

  • All students and exchange visitors on F/J visas, and their dependents, must carry evidence of your registration in the U.S. at all times.  For most, this evidence is your I-94 admission record. You should print your I-94 record here, and keep a copy of this with you. Click on “Get Most Recent I-94″ to print your record.
  • Think about who you would call in the event of an immigration emergency like an arrest or detainment and keep this person’s telephone number with you. This might be a family member or an attorney; it should be someone who can make phone calls and arrangements on your behalf. Also keep the number of your home country’s embassy or consulate with you, if your country has diplomatic relations with the U.S.
  •  Be aware of your social media usage and any public political activism or support. You may find this guide to social media usage for noncitizens helpful.
  • Attend an Immigration Q&A on Tuesday, April 15, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm with Immigration Attorney Dan Berger, from Green and Spiegel. Attorney Berger will be providing information, not legal advice about the current immigration landscape.  Find additional information and join the meeting here.

Travel this Summer:

Many students have questions now about whether they should travel abroad during the summer break.  This is a personal decision to make but may be influenced by certain factors.

  • There have been reports of possible travel bans for international students and scholars from specific countries. UConn does not know when or if these travel bans will be published, which countries will be included on final lists, and what type of travel restrictions each country may face.
  • Every time you return from a trip abroad you are putting yourself before a federal immigration officer at a U.S. Port of Entry when you seek entry to the U.S.  If there is anything in your personal history that could be problematic (a history of arrests in the U.S., a prior terminated SEVIS record, evidence of unauthorized employment or other concerns) you could be pulled into secondary inspection and be asked to explain your actions.
  • If renewing a visa, consular officers have indicated that they are paying more attention to social media profiles, and students who have prior terminated SEVIS records may face extra scrutiny during the visa renewal process.
  • Students and scholars seeking entry to the U.S. should be aware that all electronic devices will be subject to search/review.
  • Do not forget to obtain an up-to-date travel signature from ISSS before you depart and ensure that your U.S. visa is unexpired and that your passport will be valid at least six months beyond your return date.

University Resources

  • International students and visiting scholars can visit the Center for International Students & Scholars website for updated guidance on travel concerns and emerging trends related to their immigration status, and to connect with international advising staff who can provide individualized guidance
  •  General student support is also available from the Dean of Students Office and The Graduate School.

We also want to remind students of the mental health support services available to them:

International students at UConn Storrs and the regional campuses:

International employees, including graduate assistants represented by the GEU at UConn Storrs and regional campuses:

I hope to see you today at the Immigration Q & A.

 

Best regards,

___________

Arthur Galinat (pronounce my name)

(he/him/his)
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 860.486.5800

EMAIL: arthur.galinat@uconn.edu | http://international.global.uconn.edu

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