F-1 Students Face Termination of their SEVIS record and Revocation of their F-1 Visas

Welcome to the U.S. immigration news briefing from Corporate Immigration Partners, PC (CIP PC). The team is here to provide the latest updates on policy changes affecting corporate immigration. This update outlines a new U.S. Department of State process that may terminate F-1 visa holders’ SEVIS records or revoke visas, impacting their ability to stay or re-enter the U.S.

Update on F-1 Visa Revocations and SEVIS Terminations

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has begun a process specific to foreign nationals on F-1 status that may result in an individual’s termination of their Student and Exchange Visitor Information (SEVIS) record and/or revocation of the F-1 visa in their passport. Although the DOS has not published specific criteria for revocation, it seems that SEVIS termination and F-1 visa revocation may occur if an F-1 status holder has:

• A past arrest for any reason,
• Any criminal charge and/or conviction, or
• Engaged in political, social media, or public behavior deemed concerning by the current U.S. administration, with a focus on revoking visas for pro-Palestine activists.[1][2][3]

Institutions of higher education are learning about impacted students through notifications that the SEVIS record has been terminated. Thus far, not every impacted individual on F-1 has received a notification from DOS about their F-1 visa being revoked.  Some impacted individuals are finding that they have received an email from DOS that the F-1 visa in their passport has been revoked and that once they depart the U.S., they must present their passport to the U.S. Consulate so their visa stamp can be canceled.

• [1] https://www.npr.org/2025/04/08/nx-s1-5349472/students-protest-trump-free-speech-arrests-deportation-gaza
• [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75720q9d7lo
• [3] https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/4/7/harvard-international-know-your-rights/

Does the impacted individual need to depart the U.S.?

The F-1 visa in the passport is only required for re-entry to the U.S.  A passport visa revocation alone does not revoke an individual’s F-1 status.  However, in many of these cases, the SEVIS record is also terminated, which can impact the individual in F-1 immediately.

When SEVIS is terminated, the impacted individual’s work authorization is terminated, and they may now be seen as “subject to removal,” meaning the student could be placed in deportation proceedings. When a person is “subject to removal,” this is a “status” that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is placing upon the impacted individual.  In some cases, when an individual is deemed “subject to removal” they receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) from DHS providing the individual an opportunity to defend themselves in an immigration court.  Prior to this court date, the individual can remain in the U.S. pending their hearing. To date, it is unclear what path will be created for the impacted individuals to defend themselves as not everyone has received an official NTA from DHS and there has been no information issued by DHS requiring these individuals to immediately depart the U.S.

If the impacted individual weighs all their options and chooses to depart the U.S., it is extremely important to note that the impacted individual will not be able to return to the U.S. unless their F-1 visa in their passport is reinstated or they are able to obtain a new visa allowing for re-entry to the U.S.  Even after re-application for an F-1 visa from abroad, the U.S. federal government can deny a request. The denial of an F-1 visa can cause applications for other visa types to also be denied in the future.

What options does a person have whose SEVIS and/or F-1 visa has been revoked?

• If an individual weighs all their options and chooses to, they can depart the U.S.  Note, some individuals are reporting that they have received communications from DHS encouraging them to depart the U.S. This is not the same as an official NTA notice.
• If the individual is currently enrolled in an academic program, chooses to stay in the U.S, and the school chooses to maintain enrollment, they can continue to attend classes while further details about the impact of the revocations come to light. A SEVIS record and F-1 status are not always required for a student to attend classes.
• The school can ask that SEVIS be reinstated based on what may be deemed a technical or unjustified termination.
• If the impacted person is not in removal proceedings, they may be able to file a lawsuit challenging the SEVIS termination under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
  • To file a challenge to the U.S. government, it is strongly encouraged to seek personal immigration counsel.
• If the impacted individual receives an NTA and is put into formal removal proceedings, they should be provided with the right to a hearing in immigration court. The individual can request a bond if detained and argue that they have maintained valid status.
  • Under this circumstance, it is strongly encouraged to seek personal immigration counsel.

Please note, this is an evolving situation that is changing rapidly.  The information above is based on what we know to date and may alter based on additional action taken by the U.S. government and legal action taken by those who choose to challenge the U.S. government.

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