From Harvard labs to ICE cells: More than 340 international students and researchers face deportation from the US

Students face deportation from the US as visa revocations surge: A growing number of international students and researchers are facing deportation from the US after their visas were suddenly revoked. According to CNN reports, more than 340 individuals, including scholars from prestigious universities like Harvard and Columbia, have been affected this year. These actions are part of a broader effort by the US government to enforce stricter immigration controls, which have included revoking student visas for minor infractions and, in some cases, no clear reason at all.

One of the most notable cases is that of Kseniia Petrova, a researcher at Harvard Medical School . Petrova, a Russian national, had her visa revoked after failing to declare "non-hazardous" frog embryos she was carrying with her upon returning from France in February. Rather than issuing a fine for the unintentional mistake, the US government detained Petrova, and she is now in an ICE facility in Louisiana awaiting a hearing. "Her detention is not only unnecessary, but unjust," said her attorney, Greg Romanovsky, as reported by CNN.

Wave of visa revocations hits prestigious universities
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed last month that over 300 student visas had been revoked, with most of those impacted being students. Many of the visa revocations affect foreign nationals affiliated with top US institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Texas at Austin. Some of these revocations, as reported by CNN, are due to years-old misdemeanors or have no apparent reason at all.

The revocations have caused significant anxiety among international students. "Students are terrified that even a minor legal issue could end their education in the US," said David Wilson, an immigration attorney, speaking to CNN. Wilson added that while visa revocation is common for legal violations, the speed and unpredictability of these actions have shaken the international student community.

Deportations without warning spark legal challenges
In several instances, students have taken legal action to prevent their deportation. One such case is that of Xiaotian Liu, a graduate researcher at Dartmouth, whose F-1 visa was revoked without explanation. Liu, who had been in the US since 2016, filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent his deportation. "He has not committed any crime or even a traffic violation," Liu’s attorneys argued, as quoted by CNN. A federal judge in New Hampshire granted Liu’s request for a restraining order.

These legal challenges highlight the increasing tension between the US government's immigration policies and the rights of foreign nationals. Immigration experts warn that such actions, especially without clear explanations, may have a chilling effect on international students, with many uncertain about their futures in the US.

The fear of forced deportations
The US government is also encouraging those affected to "self-deport" rather than fight their cases in court, which many see as an attempt to avoid lengthy legal battles. According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the "CBP Home" app allows individuals to voluntarily leave the US, but this has raised concerns about the lack of transparency and fairness in the process. "The threat of deportation without a hearing is something new and alarming," Sarah Spreitzer, from the American Council on Education, said to the Associated Press.

These developments are causing widespread fear among international students, with many wondering whether even a minor legal infraction could jeopardize their education and future in the US As the deportation crisis grows, the uncertainty surrounding the US immigration system remains a key concern for thousands of students and researchers.