Student Visa Cancellations and ICE Raids Imply Risk for Andrews University
23 April 2025 |
With hundreds of student visas being terminated under the current administration, Andrews University and many other Seventh-day Adventist universities are left wondering when they might be next.
In a recent article by The Student Movement, the official student newspaper for Andrews University, concerns have been raised about the erratic deportations of students. Immigration experts have commented that the deportation of international students appears to have less to do with upholding immigration law and more to do with suppressing student opinions. Those who vocally support Palestine amid the ongoing conflict seem to be particularly targeted. Mahmoud Khalil, a U.S. resident, prominent pro-Palestinian advocate, and graduate student at Columbia University, was arrested in his university-owned apartment on March 8. “Since then, over 1,300 international students from across 210 colleges and universities have had their legal status changed and their visas revoked by the federal government.”
The justification for these actions has been that the students were perceived as agitators, promoting a dangerous environment through their protests and that pro-Palestine sentiment is equivalent to being pro-Hamas. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly criticized student empathy towards Palestine, stating that students who express their freedom of speech through protests are “disruptive and undermine our universities.” He also emphasized that holding a visa is a privilege, not a right.
Many worry that targeting international students is a convenient way to silence those who are critical of the current administration.
Although Andrews University has not yet been affected by these deportations, many community members worry that they could be next. As noted by Andrew Francis, the author of the article in The Student Movement:
“Andrews is very proud of its international student population, with 20% of its students coming from outside the U.S. According to U.S. News and World Report, Andrews has the 7th-largest international student body among universities in the country. While there have been no reports of Andrews students having their visas revoked or being in jeopardy, a significant portion of the university community remains vulnerable to such actions, and little effective legal action has been taken to reverse the termination of these visas.”
Stuart and Alayne Thorpe, deans of the College of Education and International Services, are working to address the fears of international students. Although they wish to comply with government policies, the rulebook has changed significantly in recent months.
“In the past, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security collaborated with schools to provide advance notice of potential changes and investigations into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which manages student visa status. However, with the federal government permitting agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access student visa records, cancellations of visas can happen suddenly with little to no warning.”
Despite these challenges, Andrews University refuses to promote censorship and upholds the students’ right to freedom of speech. At the same time, they encourage vulnerable students to be mindful of their online presence, as this exposure may lead to retaliation. A town hall meeting was held on April 17 to discuss how students can navigate potential fallout, address concerns, and dispel misinformation that fosters unnecessary anxiety.
