DeKALB – Five international students have had their visas revoked, according to NIU officials.
The university confirmed the visa revocations in a statement to the Northern Star.
“The university is working directly with each student to ensure they understand their rights, options and resources to support them as they navigate the significant disruption to their daily lives and future plans,” a statement from the University said.
Identifying information about those affected will not be released out of respect for their privacy, the statement said.
As the university declined to provide further information surrounding the revocations, details such as the enrollment status and whether the students have left the country remain unknown.
Illinois’ student population includes 55,000 international students, according to open doors data.
There are 970 international students at NIU.
The statement from the university follows reports of hundreds of international student visas being revoked across the country by the Trump administration.
Visa revocations have been reported at Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, among other Illinois institutions.
On March 30, the office of the Executive Vice President and Provost sent an email to international students providing guidance during this time.
The email advised members of the international community to carry status documents at all times, monitor NIU email accounts regularly, and listed resources such as how to find immigration counsel and how to find help at NIU.
On March 31, an email from university President Lisa Freeman voiced support for NIU’s international community amid reports of the revocations.
“International and undocumented students are valued, contributing members of our NIU community,” Freeman said. “The university is actively supporting them in their teaching, learning, and status compliance and overall well-being.”
NIU joined 570 universities and colleges as part of an alliance of college and university leaders calling on the Trump administration to respect international student’s constitutional rights.
The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration released a statement condemning the visa revocations.
“Recent immigration enforcement operations – including apprehending and detaining international students and revoking student visas – appear to lack clear cause or be based on political speech or association and raise serious concerns about fairness, due process, freedom from arbitrary or discriminatory enforcement, and other constitutional protections,” the statement said.
Students in need of assistance can contact the Center for Student Assistance, Counseling and Consultation Services, Employee well-being, or the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.
This story will be updated as new information is made available.
