For decades, international students have been a cornerstone of U.S. higher education, bringing academic excellence, diverse perspectives, and essential tuition revenue that supports both teaching and research. But in 2025, many of these students are finding themselves targeted by the federal government.
One high-profile and early incident involved Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University student studying child development and affiliated with a FABBS member society. She was detained after co-authoring an op-ed calling for acknowledgment of the Palestinian genocide and divestment from companies doing business with Israel. The Department of Homeland Security revoked her student visa, citing alleged support for Hamas, though no evidence beyond the op-ed was provided. The case sparked widespread concern and similar reports have since emerged from institutions across the country.
According to Politico, as of April 21, more than 1,400 international students and recent graduates have had their legal status changed or revoked by the State Department with little explanation. Some were flagged for minor infractions such as traffic violations; others received no clear reason at all. Many learned of their visa terminations only after their records were flagged in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), often too late to appeal.
As effects of these policy changes become clearer, recent data reinforces universities’ concerns about declining international student enrollment. Researchers at Boston College analyzing SEVIS data found that the number of international students in the U.S. dropped by over 11 percent between March 2024 and March 2025.
Universities have been scrambling to respond. Some have created emergency legal funds to help affected students contest the decisions or apply for reinstatement. Legal advocacy groups are also beginning to challenge the broader pattern in court. One recent court ruling offers a glimmer of hope: a federal judge in Georgia issued a temporary restraining order requiring the government to reinstate the SEVIS statuses of 133 students, reversing terminations made since March 31.
These actions appear to reflect a broader policy shift, one that could have long-term consequences not only for individual students but for the entire U.S. research enterprise. The decline in international enrollment will hamper innovation, weaken global partnerships, and undercut the financial foundations of many research institutions. Without a clear and fair framework, the U.S. risks undermining its position as a global leader in science and education.
FABBS will continue to track the impact of these policies.
Additionally, here are some resources available for students:
- American Association of University Professors (AAUP) – Defends academic freedom and provides resources for students facing threats to their rights (AAUP Website).
- National Immigration Law Center (NILC) – Specializes in immigration rights and provides legal support for individuals facing issues related to visa revocation, deportation, and other immigration challenges (NILC Website).
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) – Offers resources and training for students and advocates on how to navigate immigration issues, including visa revocation. They can help understand rights and options for those in these situations (ILRC Website).
- Student and Scholar Immigration Services (SSIS) – Many universities have specialized immigration services for international students, providing support for visa-related issues. Students should contact their school’s SSIS office for guidance.
