At least three additional international University of Oregon students have had their student visas revoked by the Department of Homeland Security, according to University of Oregon spokesperson Eric Howald — bringing the total to four in recent weeks.
In an email statement to The Daily Emerald, Howald said DHS is alleging that all four students, including the student whose visa was revoked on March 28, had their visas revoked for alleged “unspecified criminal charges.”
The Emerald was unable to verify any potential criminal charges against the students.
The students have been given a 15-day time frame from the first notice to vacate the country or face deportation.
According to Howald, the university was not involved in the decisions of the students’ legal status and all four students were in “good academic standing at UO.”
“We (UO) are working closely with the students directly impacted to gather all relevant information, connect them with legal advice, provide academic and personal life advising, and otherwise help them navigate next steps,” Howald said. “We are committed to handling this matter with care and respect for the student’s privacy.”
Howald also said the university was not informed in advance about revoking the visas.
“(UO) has not been given details about the nature of the criminal charges. We recognize that this situation may raise questions and concerns in our community,” Howald said.
The university currently holds 796 active F-1 student visas, according to Howald.
According to an email obtained by The Daily Emerald, UO School of Journalism and Communication Dean Juan-Carlos Molleda said that one of the students whose visa was revoked was part of the SOJC.
“I want to extend my heartfelt support to our international students who are currently facing unnerving pressures from the federal government,” Molleda wrote.
According to Molleda, the Global Engagement team is working with the students to “provide all possible support while maintaining their confidentiality,” and UO has taken the steps below:
- Inform the student of their visa/immigration status termination
- Communicate the government’s message about the date by which the student must leave the country
- Determine if the student has any other legal means to remain in the United States
- Ending on-campus employment for affected students immediately, unless they have another legal pathway to work in the country, which ensures that students are not further punished for illegally working on campus amidst their visa revocation
* This is a breaking story and will be updated with any new information
