Recently, international students across the U.S. were shaken by an unprecedented wave of visa revocations. As of April 2025, over 600 international students and recent graduates have had their visas revoked or legal status changed by the U.S. State Department. These actions have affected individuals across more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide often without warning or clear reason. Government officials claim these students were troublemakers—one even labeled them “lunatics” bent on causing campus chaos. In truth, many visa revocations appear tied to peaceful activism and trivial missteps. Some students had their status stripped after participating in lawful campus protests (for example, demonstrations against the war in Gaza), while others lost their visas over minor issues like years-old traffic violations that courts had dismissed.
The human toll of this crackdown is profound. One international student discovered her visa was canceled as she lay in a hospital bed after giving birth. Another student was jailed in a detention center for driving with an expired license. In Michigan, students weren’t even notified by immigration authorities – they learned their status was terminated only when their universities saw it in a database. No chance to respond. No due process. It’s no surprise that “palpable fear” now hangs over international students on campuses nationwide. Many are asking: Could speaking out or a small mistake cost me my education and future?
This draconian campaign strikes at the heart of American academic life and values. Our campuses thrive on free expression and global exchange. International students, scholars, and staff enrich our classrooms and communities. Targeting them for their speech or harmless errors doesn’t just harm those individuals – it poisons the environment for everyone. When visa holders are forced into silence out of fear, academic freedom and open dialogue suffer. When our friends and colleagues worry that any misstep could bring exile, our community’s trust and well-being erode.
Most importantly, these actions undermine fundamental rights. The U.S. Constitution protects everyone on American soil – citizens and visa holders alike. The First Amendment guarantees the right to speak, protest, and associate peacefully without government reprisal. The Fifth Amendment guarantees due process and the right not to incriminate oneself. Revoking a student’s visa as punishment for joining a protest or due to an unproven accusation flies in the face of these principles. No government agency should be above the law, and no student should be deprived of their education and dignity without a fair process. As the ACLU has argued in court, yanking visas in secret – with no notice or hearing – blatantly violates due process rights.
Campus communities are rallying to respond. Legal challenges are mounting: civil rights groups and attorneys are fighting to reinstate unjustly terminated visas, calling this crackdown what it is – unlawful government overreach. Meanwhile, student organizations, faculty, and university leaders are speaking out in solidarity. They recognize that an attack on the rights of any community member is an attack on all of us. We cannot allow fear to isolate our international peers. Instead, we must come together—domestic and international students, faculty, and staff—to demand justice and protect each other.
What does that mean in practice? It means refusing to let our classmates be used as political scapegoats. It means pressuring our institutions and elected officials to uphold the ideals of academia and due process. And critically, it means equipping everyone with knowledge and a plan. Knowing your rights can prevent panic and empower action if authorities show up on campus or if a visa suddenly gets revoked. Standing together and being prepared are our best defenses against unjust enforcement.
Below, is a concise Know-Your-Rights and Action Toolkit for international students, scholars, and allies. This guide focuses on protecting First and Fifth Amendment rights, and on concrete steps to build campus solidarity and rapid response. By educating ourselves and staying united, we can push back against fear and injustice—and ensure our campus remains a place where every voice can be heard without jeopardizing one’s future
Freedom of Expression (First Amendment): You have the right to speak your mind. In the United States, international students, faculty, and staff enjoy First Amendment protections, just like citizens. You can participate in peaceful protests, rallies, and advocacy without fear of lawful punishment for your views. The government cannot legally target or deport you solely for your speech or beliefs. For example, attending a lawful campus demonstration or posting your opinions on social media is protected activity – these alone do not justify any official retaliation. Always remain nonviolent and follow campus rules but remember: your voice is your right.
Right to Remain Silent (Fifth Amendment): You do not have to answer questions from immigration or police without a lawyer. If an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent or police officer stops you – on campus or off – you have the right to remain silent. You do not have to discuss your immigration status, nationality, political activities, or anything else. It’s wise to provide your student ID or state ID if asked, and you may calmly ask, “Am I free to go?” If they say yes, walk away. If you are detained (not free to leave), you can continue to refuse to answer questions. Politely say: “I am exercising my right to remain silent.” This protects you from unintentionally giving information that could be misused. Do not sign any documents without legal counsel. Even if officers pressure you, you can insist on speaking with an attorney first.
Right to Legal Counsel and Due Process: You have the right to a fair process. If the government moves to terminate your visa or start deportation, you have the right to legal representation and a hearing in most cases. Contact an attorney immediately (see resources below) – you are allowed to have a lawyer at your own expense for any immigration proceedings. Due process means the government should give you notice and an opportunity to respond before taking serious action like revoking your visa status. In practice, officials may try to bypass this, as we’ve seen – but that itself can become a legal defense for you. If you receive any email or notice that your SEVIS record (student visa record) was terminated, do not panic. You typically have a short window to contest or clarify any error. Save all communications and seek legal help immediately. Remember, you are entitled to fair treatment under the law; being on a student visa does not strip away all your rights.
Privacy and Campus Safety: Your dorm is your home – you don’t have to let ICE in without a warrant. On campus, know your school’s policies regarding ICE or law enforcement access. Many colleges treat dormitories as private residences. This means agents need a judicial warrant (signed by a judge) to enter without permission. If an agent comes to your door, you can speak through the door and ask them to slide any warrant under it. Do not open up unless you see a valid warrant. If you’re unsure, you can refuse entry and say your attorney will be in touch. Also, campus police and administrators do not have the right to give ICE information about your whereabouts or schedule without legal requirements – many schools strive to protect student privacy. It’s a good idea to memorize or keep handy an emergency phone number of someone you trust (or an attorney) to call in case of any enforcement action. Being informed about your rights to privacy and counsel can prevent intimidation.
Our entire campus can take steps to respond quickly and stand in solidarity when international students and scholars are threatened. Here are key action items for students, faculty, and allies to implement:
• Rapid Legal Response: Be ready to lawyer up. Form a rapid response team on campus – this could include sympathetic faculty, the student legal aid office, or local immigration attorneys willing to help. Its purpose is to act immediately if a student or scholar is detained or faces a sudden visa revocation. Speed matters: if someone is taken by ICE or loses status, contact a lawyer and advocacy groups at once to file appeals or injunctions (as was done in Michigan). Have a phone tree or text alert system so friends can quickly share news of any enforcement action and mobilize help. Even a few hours heads-up can make a difference in preventing detention or deportation. Plan now, so you’re not scrambling later.
• “Red Card” Know-Your-Rights Training: Empower everyone with knowledge. Host know-your-rights workshops for international students and campus groups. Many immigrant-rights organizations offer “Red Cards” – small cards that plainly state your rights and can be handed to an officer to assert your right to remain silent and to refuse a search. Distribute these Red Cards widely (in dorm welcome packets, at international student orientations, etc.). Practice scenarios: for instance, what to do if ICE agents come to a campus event or someone gets a knock at their apartment door. These trainings should also involve U.S. citizen allies, so they know how to support (for example, witnessing an interaction, recording with permission, or simply being present as support). When people know their rights and rehearse their response, panic gives way to empowerment. Make sure every international student, scholar, and staff member knows: they are not alone and have rights that the campus community will help uphold.
• Campus Solidarity & Ally Support: Strength in numbers on campus. Cultivate a culture where international students feel safe and supported. Allies should step up visibly. This can mean organizing solidarity rallies or speak-outs affirming that your school stands with international students against unfair targeting. Encourage student governments and faculty senates to pass resolutions of support and urge the administration to prioritize students’ safety. Buddy systems can help – for example, domestic students or faculty can volunteer to accompany international students to any potentially sensitive meetings or even just check in regularly. If an incident occurs (like a student picked up by ICE), mobilize a public response: petitions, campus press coverage, and contacting local officials to demand the student’s release and return. A loud, united response can deter abusive treatment. Let those affected know the campus has their back – no one fights alone.
• Push for Protective Campus Policies: Make the institution a shield, not a conduit. Advocate for your college or university to adopt policies that protect international community members. This might include designating the school as a “sanctuary campus” (limiting cooperation with immigration enforcement absent legal compulsion), refusing to share student information (like class schedules or addresses) with federal agents without a court order, and providing legal resources to affected students. University leadership should also be urged to demand answers from federal authorities – for instance, insisting on clarity when a student’s visa is revoked and pushing back against terminations without due process. Schools can coordinate with national education associations to lobby for policy changes. By making it clear that the institution will exhaust every option to defend its students, we both protect individuals and pressure the government to rethink its tactics. Policy change can be slow, but unified voices from major universities carry weight – and in the meantime, strong campus policies create a safer haven.
• Resist and Document Unjust Enforcement: Shine a light on abuses. If immigration enforcement does come to campus unjustly, resist normalization. This means document everything: take notes or video (at a safe distance and without interfering) of any incidents of intimidation, rights violations, or questionable agent behavior. Encourage witnesses to come forward and speak to the press or legal investigators. Publicize patterns of unjust revocations or harassment (while respecting students’ privacy as needed) – for example, if several students in one department lost visas after attending a protest, that story needs to be told. Use student newspapers, campus radio, and social media to raise awareness. The goal is to make sure clandestine or unjust actions cannot stay in the shadows. Public pressure and media attention can stop a deportation or at least rally widespread support. On a broader level, keep linking up with national movements resisting xenophobia and anti-immigrant crackdowns. Campus activism has a proud history of fueling social change – that tradition must continue now, to oppose what is essentially a politicized purge of international students. By refusing to be silent and compiling evidence of injustice, we strengthen legal challenges and uphold our community’s moral conscience.
You are not alone. Numerous organizations across the country are working to defend the rights of international students and scholars. Keep these key resources on hand and don’t hesitate to reach out to them for guidance, legal help, or training materials:
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – Immigrants’ Rights Project: The ACLU provides legal assistance and “Know Your Rights” materials for non-citizens. They have challenged the visa revocations in court (e.g. ACLU of Michigan’s lawsuit) and can often connect students to emergency legal counsel. Their website offers clear guides on rights during protests and encounters with law enforcement.
• National Immigration Law Center (NILC): NILC specializes in defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants, including students. They offer resources on immigrant students’ rights, policy updates, and advocacy toolkits. NILC often works on national policy advocacy – for instance, pushing back against harmful immigration regulations that affect students. They can be a source of expert advice on your legal options and have guides for educators and campuses as well.
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC): ILRC produces the popular “Red Cards” and Know-Your-Rights materials in many languages. They offer practical guidance on what to do in case of ICE encounters. Campuses can request ILRC’s materials or trainings to better prepare their international populations. The ILRC’s resources are designed to be easily understandable – perfect for distributing to students and their families so everyone knows how to assert their rights.
• National Lawyers Guild (NLG) – Immigration and Campus Chapters: The NLG is a network of progressive lawyers, law students, and legal workers. Many NLG chapters do legal observer training for protests and offer direct support to immigrants facing deportation. On some campuses, NLG student chapters can help liaise with volunteer immigration attorneys. They also run a National Immigration Project that has hotlines and resources for urgent immigration crises. NLG lawyers are often willing to step in pro bono for urgent cases of detention or First Amendment violations.
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