Key Takeaways
• Thirty-five UCSD students’ F-1 visas revoked by April 11, 2025; at least one student deported at the border.
• UCSD only learned of terminations via SEVIS; federal officials did not provide direct notice or reasons.
• Affected students received legal, academic, and emotional support; university updates online FAQs with latest F-1 visa developments.
As of April 17, 2025, there has been a sharp increase in the number of F-1 visa revocations among UCSD students. Thirty-five UCSD students have had their F-1 visas terminated, and at least one has been deported at the border. This situation has created a sense of fear and confusion across the campus, with both affected students and university officials left searching for clear answers.
What Happened—and When?
The earliest reports of F-1 visa revocations at UCSD date back to the beginning of April. By April 11, the number had reached at least 35, and there was at least one case where a student was deported right at the border. After April 11, no new terminations were noted for several days.
The university only learned about these F-1 visa terminations by checking the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which is the official database that keeps track of international students’ status in the United States 🇺🇸. Federal officials did not directly contact UCSD to alert them about which students were affected or why their F-1 visas were canceled. Instead, the school found out about these actions during their routine checks.
This lack of direct communication has made it hard for UCSD students and university staff to know exactly what went wrong in each case. It has also led to a lot of worry for other international students who wonder if they could lose their F-1 visas without warning.
How Did the University Respond?
After discovering the growing number of visa revocations, the university moved quickly to support the affected students. Each student received help from a care team through UCSD’s International Services and Engagement Office. These teams helped with:
- Academic concerns (such as missed classes or assignments)
- Legal advice
- Financial challenges
- Emotional and personal well-being
The university also said it would regularly update an online FAQ page with the latest numbers and any important news about F-1 visa issues. This is meant to make sure students, their families, and the wider campus community stay informed.
Why Were the F-1 Visas Revoked?
Despite the seriousness of having an F-1 visa revoked or being deported, federal authorities have not given specific reasons in each case. Official comments only mention “violations of terms.” These terms usually include things like staying enrolled full-time, not working off-campus without permission, and following all United States 🇺🇸 laws. However, in this situation, there have not been clear details or proof of what rule was broken by each affected UCSD student.
Across the country, there have been reports that international student visas may be canceled for small offenses, such as traffic tickets or taking part in campus protests. However, there is no solid evidence that this is the case in this group of UCSD students. There seems to be no single reason or pattern for the recent revocations in San Diego.
This makes it hard for UCSD students to protect themselves or avoid mistakes, because they do not know what could put their legal status at risk.
UCSD Students React: Worry, Protest, and Calls for Answers
Unsurprisingly, news of the revoked F-1 visas and the one deported student has caused strong feelings on campus. Student groups have organized protests in support of affected international students. Many students are demanding:
- More openness and answers from the university and from the government
- Fair treatment for all UCSD students, no matter where they come from
- More information to stop rumors and panic
Some groups are also concerned that these visa revocations could be part of a bigger pattern, where international students at universities across the United States 🇺🇸 are being targeted.
Broader Context: Not Just UCSD
What is happening at UCSD is not unique. University officials and reports say that over 1,000 international students across the country have lost their visas in a short period of time. This includes other campuses in the University of California system—not just San Diego.
In some places, there are stories that the canceled F-1 visas are linked to recent protests or movements among students, while other cases involve students who already finished their education. Once again, there has been no official or clear confirmation from the government on the details.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that without an explanation from federal authorities, uncertainty is growing at UCSD and other schools. Many international students now worry not just about their studies, but about their right to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 at all.
What Is an F-1 Visa, and Why Do Students Need It?
An F-1 visa is an official approval which allows students from other countries to come to the United States 🇺🇸 to study full time at schools, colleges, or universities. International students with F-1 visas must:
- Enroll as full-time students and keep up good grades
- Not work off-campus without special permission
- Obey all United States 🇺🇸 laws—at school and outside of school
If a student breaks these rules, even by accident, their F-1 visa can be canceled. When this happens, the student must leave the country or risk being deported. Deportation means they are forced to return to their home country and may not be allowed to come back to the United States 🇺🇸 for a long time, sometimes years.
For more information on F-1 visa rules and what happens if a visa is revoked, you can visit the official U.S. Department of State – Student Visas page.
How Does a Revocation Happen?
When a person’s F-1 visa is about to be canceled, there is usually an official process, but in recent weeks, many UCSD students did not know they were in danger until it was too late. Often, the first sign that something is wrong comes when the student tries to re-enter the United States 🇺🇸 after traveling, or when they check their own record in the SEVIS database.
When the government cancels a visa but does not tell the school or the student exactly why, there is almost no way for the student to fight the decision. This lack of notice and detail is a key reason why the recent events at UCSD have caused such alarm.
What Support Is the University Giving?
UCSD’s International Services and Engagement Office has tried to help by giving every student with a revoked F-1 visa a special care team. These teams help students:
- Understand what happened with their visa
- Get legal guidance about their rights and options
- Talk with teachers and staff about missing schoolwork or exams
- Find out what they need to do to leave the United States 🇺🇸 safely, if needed
- Handle money matters, like closing bank accounts or paying bills before leaving
The university promises to keep pushing for more information from federal officials so it can better support all UCSD students, especially those studying on an F-1 visa.
Student Voices and the Feeling on Campus
Many UCSD students have taken to social media and public protests to share their stories. Some are scared about what could happen to them next. Others are frustrated that university officials cannot get answers from the government.
Here’s what the campus community is saying:
- There are calls for clear and simple updates about anyone else affected.
- Students are working together to try and support those who lost their F-1 visas.
- Some are asking for more legal help and counseling services.
- Stories of the deported student make the situation feel very real and frightening to others.
The general feeling is one of confusion and worry. Many international students are scared that their F-1 visas could be revoked as well, especially with so little information about what caused the current problem.
What Are the Next Steps for Affected UCSD Students?
For most UCSD students now left without their F-1 visas, the options are limited. In cases where deportation happens at the border, the person must return to their home country. Other students who lost their status may have to leave voluntarily or seek legal help in hopes of returning to school in the United States 🇺🇸 later.
The care teams at UCSD are helping with paperwork, travel plans, and legal support. Still, the uncertainty makes this an anxious time for everyone involved.
How Might This Affect Other International Students?
The recent wave of F-1 visa revocations among UCSD students is a warning sign for international students everywhere in the United States 🇺🇸. Without clear information from federal agencies, students may not know how to keep their visa status safe.
If you are an international student or thinking about studying in the United States 🇺🇸, you should:
- Stay in close contact with your school’s international office
- Regularly check your SEVIS record for updates or changes
- Keep careful track of your visa status and all U.S. laws that apply to students
Paying attention to even small legal issues or changes in school rules could help avoid problems like those faced by UCSD students.
What Does This Mean for the U.S. Education System?
Having hundreds or thousands of international students lose their visas is a big deal. International students make schools like UCSD stronger by bringing new ideas, cultures, and skills to their campuses. If the United States 🇺🇸 loses its reputation as a safe and welcoming place for students from around the world, colleges could lose out on top talent and important international connections.
At the same time, the lack of clear rules and quick answers from the government makes it hard for universities to help their students. This puts schools in a tough spot and could make fewer international students interested in studying in the United States 🇺🇸.
What Can Students Do If Their Visa Is Revoked?
If your F-1 visa is revoked or you are worried it could happen, some steps you can take right away include:
- Talk to your school’s international student advisors as soon as possible
- Ask about your rights and what documents you need
- Find a legal expert with experience in student immigration cases
- Prepare a plan in case you need to leave the country
You can always check the U.S. Department of State – visa information for general guidance about rules and updates.
Final Thoughts
The revocation of F-1 visas for 35 UCSD students and the deportation of at least one student underline the challenges that international students face in the United States 🇺🇸 today. Without clear reasons from the government, it is difficult for schools and students to avoid or fix these problems. For UCSD students and others in similar situations, strong support from their university and timely legal advice are more important than ever.
This situation is a reminder of the need for open, simple communication between federal agencies, universities, and students. It also highlights why international students should be extra careful to follow all rules, keep records, and ask for help if something seems wrong.
To stay informed or look for regular updates about F-1 visas and student status, you can always use resources like the official U.S. Department of State website, which gives up-to-date facts and advice. For further discussions, analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that while schools can help students manage some risks, federal agencies must also be clear and fair to keep students safe and the United States 🇺🇸 a welcoming place for learners from every country.
Learn Today
F-1 Visa → A nonimmigrant visa that allows international students to study full-time at accredited institutions in the United States.
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a federal database tracking international student and exchange visitor status in the U.S.
Deportation → The formal removal of a non-citizen from the United States for violating immigration or visa laws.
Visa Revocation → The process by which the U.S. government cancels a visa, ending the holder’s legal permission to stay.
International Services and Engagement Office → A UCSD department providing support, guidance, and resources for international students, including immigration matters.
This Article in a Nutshell
By mid-April 2025, UCSD saw 35 F-1 visa revocations and at least one deportation. Students and staff remain uncertain about the causes, as federal authorities gave no direct reasons. The university provides legal, academic, and mental health support, but growing anxiety persists among UCSD’s international student community.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• F-1 visa scrutiny rises, causing concern for international students
• F-1 Visa Revocations Challenge International Students Across US
• California Student Challenges DHS Over F-1 Visa Policy
• Can Working Full-Time on F-1 OPT Affect Your H-1B Visa Chances
• F-1 Visas Revoked for Nine Students Across CSU and CU Campuses
