TACOMA — Two recent international graduates from the University of Washington Tacoma have had their visas revoked by the Trump administration, according to a university spokesperson, as hundreds of students across the United States face similar revocations.
University of Washington spokesperson Victor Balta confirmed to The News Tribune on Tuesday that the two graduates had their work authorization revoked but declined to provide any details about the graduates to protect their privacy.
The canceling of student visas in recent weeks has prompted lawsuits from states, students and the ACLU, according to multiple media reports. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that at least 790 students at more than 120 colleges and universities across the nation have had visas revoked or legal statuses terminated.
While President Donald Trump’s administration has targeted political activists, especially pro-Palestinian students, Balta said the University of Washington had no indication that any visa revocations affecting its students or graduates were due to activism or other protected free speech.
Balta also did not say when the two UW Tacoma graduates’ visas were terminated.
In a publicly posted message on April 7, the University of Washington revealed that it had learned visas were canceled without notice across its three campuses for five current students and four recent graduates participating in post-graduation training. Balta confirmed that the two UWT graduates were among those four alumni referenced and, while there had been no new UWT students affected as of Tuesday, he said the university system isn’t providing regularly updated figures about impacts at its Seattle campus.
“We are deeply concerned about the well-being of these students and graduates and are working to support them,” the university’s message said. “International students and scholars are essential and valued members of our University and they contribute immensely to our community, state and nation.”
The university said it became aware of the cancellations while checking international student records in the federal government’s Student & Exchange Visitor Information System, also known as SEVIS.
“The SEVIS record states the visa revocations were due to an immigration status violation,” the university said, adding that no other details were provided and it wasn’t aware of any immigration officials coming to UW campuses related to the terminations.
On April 8, the university provided an update, noting that its campuses were reaching out to affected students to notify them of the revocations and to connect them with immigration, legal and other aid. It also said it would be monitoring the SEVIS system daily as a proactive measure since the federal government was not providing notice to universities.
The four recent graduates whose visas were terminated, including the two from UW Tacoma, were participating in post-completion Optional Practical Training, the university said. The program offers temporary employment related to an F-1 visa student’s area of study.
Akane Yamaguchi, UW Tacoma’s director of international student and scholar services, sent a letter to the campus’ international students on March 31.
Yamaguchi said records showed no impact to UW Tacoma’s population at that time but acknowledged there were reports from other educational institutions that some student visas had been canceled by the Trump administration.
“I understand that this information, as well as recent news stories, can be alarming for members of the international student community,” she wrote. “I want to assure you that the ISSS staff and University leadership are continuing to monitor the situation closely.”
Since students can’t access the SEVIS immigration system, Yamaguchi said it was recommended that students remained compliant with the requirements of their visa to ensure their status remained active.
It was also recommended that students carry color photocopies of their immigration documents at all times, monitor their university email and be prepared for requirements and potential delays or challenges if needing to travel internationally, she said.
As of late last week, no international students at the University of Puget Sound had had their visas revoked, according to university spokesperson Veronica Craker, who said Tuesday that she was not aware of any changes since then.
“I can also share that we have been in contact with individuals who may be impacted and have shared resources that may be useful,” Craker said in an email.
A spokesperson for Pacific Lutheran University didn’t return multiple messages seeking information.
