Five international students at UMass Amherst abruptly lost their visas due to national security allegations, leaving universities scrambling for answers amid a wave of similar federal actions across the country.
At a Glance
- Five UMass Amherst students had visas revoked over alleged security concerns
- The university discovered the terminations through internal SEVIS checks
- Other universities, including Cornell and Minnesota State, are reporting similar cases
- DHS claims revocations are tied to national security and possible criminal threats
- Some affected students were involved in pro-Palestinian activism or controversial speech
Universities Left in the Dark
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has confirmed that five of its international students recently had their visas revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—without any advance notice to the university. Chancellor Javier Reyes stated that UMass officials only discovered the cancellations by independently checking the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the database used to track international students.
“The university has learned that, throughout the course of this week and as of tonight, five international students have had their visas revoked and student statuses terminated by the federal government,” Reyes wrote in a campus-wide message obtained by Fox News. He added, “I regret sending this news so late on a Friday… I felt it important to share this troubling news at this time.”
UMass isn’t the only institution caught off guard. Schools such as Minnesota State University and Cornell University have also reported sudden visa terminations, often without direct explanation. This trend has sparked criticism about the lack of transparency between federal authorities and academic institutions.
National Security Pretexts
The Department of Homeland Security has said these actions are grounded in national security concerns. According to the agency, the students affected were linked to what it called “significant national security concerns.” Some were allegedly involved in pro-Palestinian protests or suspected of affiliations with groups like Hamas, which the U.S. designates as a foreign terrorist organization.
Senator Marco Rubio has publicly supported the crackdown, arguing that students tied to extremist ideologies represent a “criminal threat.” Yet this rationale is drawing backlash from civil rights advocates and academic leaders who worry about potential infringements on free speech and due process.
Among the most high-profile examples is Mahmoud Khalil, a student at Columbia University who was arrested in connection with an anti-Israel protest. At Tufts University, student Rumeysa Ozturk faced public backlash after publishing a controversial op-ed, although it is unclear whether her visa status was impacted.
Watch ABC News coverage on the visa crackdown.
Mixed Responses and Mounting Uncertainty
Not all cases have led to deportation. Alireza Doroudi, an Iranian doctoral student also flagged in connection with national security concerns, was permitted to remain in the United States. This inconsistency has fueled further questions about how DHS determines risk—and whether politics may be influencing immigration enforcement decisions.
UMass Amherst has pledged support for the affected students, offering legal resources and counseling. “We are committed to providing assistance and standing by our students during this difficult and confusing time,” Reyes noted.
These incidents are unfolding against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tension and increased scrutiny of international students on U.S. campuses. Universities now face growing pressure to navigate federal policy changes while protecting academic freedom and student rights.
Whether these actions serve legitimate national security goals or signal government overreach is a question that institutions, lawmakers, and civil liberties groups will continue to debate as the situation evolves.
