The federal government terminated the visas of two Duke graduate students and an alumnus on Optional Practical Training, according to a Monday morning email sent to international students.
The email, sent by Kevin D’Arco, senior associate dean of international students, and Duke Visa Services Director Dylan Sugiyama, shared that the students and alumnus were informed by the U.S. Department of State that their F-1 visas had been revoked, and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had been notified of the revocation. Shortly after, the students’ visa records in Homeland Security’s Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) were terminated by the government.
“As a result of the termination of the visa status, the students are not legally able to continue their studies at Duke or to work in the U.S.,” D’Arco and Sugiyama wrote. “Arrangements are being made for the current students to allow program activities to continue from the students’ home country. The students are consulting with immigration attorneys about next steps.”
The notifications from the federal government reportedly did not include any reason for the revocation. According to D'Arco and Sugiyama, Duke was neither involved with or “directly notified” about the visa revocations or subsequent terminations in SEVIS — an online system operated by ICE that monitors the records and information of international students.
They added that DVS has met with the affected students and advised them on how to proceed. DVS will also begin reviewing SEVIS records daily and notify any student whose status has changed.
“Duke is committed to assisting our international community to the limit of the law,” D’Arco and Sugiyama wrote, further advising any student notified by the State Department about changes to their visa status to contact DVS immediately.
The email came just over a week after Duke international students received travel guidance from DVS, following reports that Trump administration officials had circulated a draft list proposing varying restrictions on travel from 43 countries.
“Our international students, faculty, staff and researchers are valued and essential members of the Duke community and contribute in innumerable ways to making Duke the world-class institution we know and love,” D’Arco and Sugiyama wrote.
Similar visa terminations have been reported at other universities across the country, including Columbia University, Harvard University, North Carolina State University and the University of Pennsylvania.
The revocations and terminations at Duke likely occurred over the weekend. Justin Wright, professor of biology and dean of graduate education in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, affirmed Thursday afternoon that no student at Duke had had their visa status changed without their knowledge in a statement to Arts & Sciences Council.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said March 27 that the State Department had revoked 300 visas since the Trump administration assumed office.
According to a Monday morning email sent to students in the Pratt School of Engineering on behalf of Brad Fox, associate dean of engineering master’s programs, Duke is hosting an open forum for Pratt and postdoctoral students Monday night at 7 p.m. with D’Arco and Sugyiama to address student questions.
Editor's note: This article was updated Monday afternoon to reflect that the forum is only open to Pratt and postdoctoral students.
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Claire Cranford is a Trinity sophomore and features managing editor for the news department.
Ana Despa is a Pratt sophomore and an associate news editor for the news department.