Several colleges in Maryland, including the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland, had international students’ visas revoked by the federal government. UMBC confirmed that four students had their visas taken away, while Johns Hopkins reported around a dozen affected students. The University of Maryland acknowledged that some of its international students were impacted but did not specify how many.
The visas were F-1 visas through the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The universities have been in contact with affected students and are providing support services. UMBC and the University of Maryland have not received explanations for the visa revocations. The move is believed to be related to pro-Palestine protests that took place on various college campuses in 2024.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported that 300 visas were revoked from students who participated in the protests, sparking concerns about the First Amendment rights of foreign nationals. Other universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, and Harvard University, have also reported similar visa revocations of international students. The affected students are advised to seek immigration counsel and explore their options for completing their coursework and degree programs. As the situation unfolds, questions remain unanswered about the circumstances leading to the visa revocations and how it may impact international students studying in the U.S.
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