In early April, 2025, dozens of University of California international students had their visas revoked, leading to widespread confusion across campuses, Berkeleyside reported. “According to experts monitoring the terminations nationally, it’s possible the students had an infraction with law enforcement, even something as minor as a traffic violation,” the Berkeleyside article continued.
The article went on to explain that many students were given no reason for the revocation. Students were informed of the change in their immigration status through an email from the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. Most students were not given a reason for their change of immigration status, although some have been linked to minor law infractions, such as a speeding ticket. Many students whose visas have been revoked participated in pro-Palestine protests, causing people to think that international students who have participated in these protests are targets for visa revocations.
“There is no question that the targeted arrests and visa cancellations going on today are often racist and unlawful,” a statement by Tanzil Chowdhury, a member of the United Auto Workers (UAW) 4811, read. The UAW 4811 is made up of academic researchers, academic student employees, postdoctoral researchers, and workers of the University of California. Chowdhury’s statement continued, saying that the visa cancellations and arrests, “do enormous harm to academic workers, many of whom are here performing cutting-edge scientific research, teaching undergraduates, grading, and more. We are proud to represent thousands of international workers, and know they already face incredible hurdles — lengthy and bureaucratic visa procedures, discrimination, and more. We stand with them and will defend their rights.” The UAW 4811 advocates and fights for workers’ rights across all UC campuses, including UC Berkeley. The union is currently supporting and protecting UC students whose visa status has recently been changed.
“In unequivocal terms, the members of UAW 4811 stand against the Trump Administration’s targeting of international coworkers, students, and community members, and we will do everything in our power to defeat these tactics and protect immigrant scholars,” the UAW 4811 said in a later statement posted on their website, “The Trump Administration is attempting to scare international scholars into submission — but foreign and domestic academic workers are determined to resist these fear tactics, continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder, and stop this reckless attempt to target immigrant scholars, divide the working class on the basis of nationality, and attack higher education.”
The UAW 4811 sent an email to the UC Office of the President (UCOP) requesting that, “UC provide legal support for individuals impacted by student exchange and visitor (SEVIS) terminations, provides emergency financial and institutional support, supports (the) reinstatement of SEVIS status for impacted students, prevents immigration enforcement on campus without a judicial warrant, publicly defends student speech and academic freedom, and designates a systemwide immigration response contact,” the UAW 4811 wrote.
While there’s no confirmed number on exactly how many international students have had their visas revoked, due to the likelihood of many cases going unreported, California universities have the highest number of reported student and post-grad visa revocations, reported Inside Higher Ed. There have been at least 300 reported visa revocations in California, with at least 23 from UC Berkeley.
“I think it is really frustrating that people’s visas are getting revoked for no apparent reason, especially in such a vibrant community as UC Berkeley is,” Sarah, a first-generation American and UC Berkeley student, said. She requested her last name not be shared.
UC Berkeley is protecting its international student population by “providing those affected with resources to navigate the process and encouraging them to seek legal counsel for guidance. UC Berkeley’s International Office has been providing international students and others with guidance and information regarding changing federal policies and actions proactively and directly, and will continue to do so,” Dan Mogulof, UC Berkeley’s Assistant Vice Chancellor, wrote in an email to the Jacket.
UC Berkeley is also sharing these additional resources with the campus community: the Berkeley International Office’s Know Your Rights webpage, University of California’s Know Your Rights Printable Wallet Card, and the FAQ for University Employees About Possible Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions on University Property.
“We understand that these actions create an uncertain and challenging environment for our campus community,” Mogulof wrote. “UC Berkeley supports, without reservation, the right and ability of immigrant and international students, staff, and faculty to participate fully in the campus experience. The campus is supporting those affected in accordance with its long-standing procedures for visa revocations,” Mogulof wrote.
Some students share the concerns articulated by UC Berkeley administration and similarly want to see support for impacted students, as they do not feel empowered to effectively assist and are looking for institutional leadership.
“I think (the Trump Administration’s revocation of student visas) is unconstitutional,” Esha, a UC Berkeley Student, said. She requested her last name not be shared. Esha said, “I think the federal government is overstepping. And I think that as students our only power is to bring attention to it, but I think a higher organization needs to step up to accomplish anything.”
As of Friday, April 25, 2025, the Trump Administration began restoring students’ changed visa status back to normal. This came as a relief to many although it is unclear what will continue to happen as the federal government could revoke student visas again.
“We are encouraged to learn that the federal government plans to restore some previously terminated SEVIS records for students across the nation, including some at the University of California,” Stett Holbrook, Associate Director, Strategic & Critical Communications of University of California’s Office of the President, wrote in an email to the Jacket. “We continue to do all we can to support our international students and faculty. UC’s international scholars enrich our research, teaching, patient care, and public service endeavors. They are integral to our academic and civic life and vital to breakthroughs that have benefited California and the nation.”