A wave of abrupt visa cancellations by the United States government has plunged hundreds of international students, including a significant number from Nigeria, into panic and uncertainty. The sudden termination of their legal status is causing widespread disruption and anxiety within university communities in the nation.
An analysis by the Associated Press has identified at least 901 students from 128 institutions whose visas have been revoked. Advocacy groups believe the actual figure could be considerably higher. While students from India and China appear to be heavily affected, legal representatives indicate that this action has impacted students from various parts of the world.
Reports suggest that seemingly minor violations, such as traffic offences, have triggered some visa cancellations. In response, four students in Michigan have initiated legal action against the government, arguing they were not provided with any clear justification for terminating their status. Similar lawsuits are being pursued by students in other states, and temporary reprieves have been granted by judges in New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Montana, reinstating the legal standing of some affected individuals.
Adding to the distress, universities are now finding out about these visa revocations directly through the government's immigration system, often before the students are officially informed. This abrupt shift in protocol has left numerous students, some on the verge of graduation or securing employment opportunities, facing an uncertain future.
The U.S. State Department and the Department of Homeland Security have yet to release an official statement addressing these widespread visa cancellations, further fueling confusion and apprehension among the impacted student population. Some students are reportedly advised to depart the country, while others are opting to remain and challenge the decisions, hoping to avoid detention or deportation.
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