International students at MSU and UM have visas revoked by federal government

Three international students at Montana State University and another at the University of Montana had their visas revoked by the Department of Homeland Security, university officials said on Friday. "We have learned that three of our international students attending Montana State University have had their F-1 student visa status revoked, under the authority of the U.S.

Department of Homeland Security," MSU President Waded Cruzado wrote in a campus-wide email. University spokesperson Michael Becker said the university found out while it was doing a "routine check" of the visa system. "We did not receive any communication directly from the federal government," Becker wrote in a text message.



This news comes as the Trump Administration is cracking down on immigration and revoking hundreds of student visas nationwide, but these to have had their visas nixed. The university declined to offer any further information regarding the identity of the students, nor whether they are currently in Montana, citing privacy concerns. "Federal laws, and our own campus policies, protect student privacy and, therefore, no additional, nor more specific, information will be shared publicly," Cruzado said in the email.

The revocation of the UM student's visa was discovered in a similar fashion, according to Dave Kuntz, spokesperson for the university. Kuntz told the Montana State News Bureau that the global engagement office was doing routine monitoring of its international student database when it discovered the change. UM officials then reached out to the student alerting them of the change.

The student had not received any separate notice from the federal government. Kuntz said students whose F-1 visas have been revoked have three options: Depart the country, apply for their visas to be reinstated or obtain a lawyer to challenge the case. "We have no indication that other students will have their visas terminated," Kuntz said.

"But given lack of communication from the federal government, our practices will remain in place in case this happens again." It is unclear why these students were chosen; the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to request for comment. Rep.

Becky Edwards, the Democrat who represents the district that encompasses MSU and whose daughter attends the university, said she was eager to hear more information as it's released to "get clarity on the situation." "I think there's uncertainty from the students' perspective, from a lot of these nationwide cases, about what their recourse is, what are the procedures that they need to follow to just simply be able to continue their education," she said. "And it's so heartbreaking to see that happening at MSU, and I fully support Montana State as they move forward with what these next steps are.

" Republican U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, who was at the state Capitol Friday and represents both Bozeman and Missoula, said he did not have further information, but added that he's "asking why" these students had their visas nixed.

The F-1 visa allows noncitizens to enter the United States as full-time students at certain approved education institutions. In order to qualify, applicants must fulfill certain criteria, including English proficiency (or be taking courses to that effect), and approval from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), among other requirements. "We value every student in our campus; this appreciation includes our international students who make of Montana State University their university of choice," Cruzado added.

"Given the heightened attention to this topic, we are sharing this information with you for situational awareness, as an important member of our university community.".