ATHENS, Ohio — Ohio University officials revealed last week that some international students have had their student visas “changed” as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
According to a Wednesday, April 9 Ohio News article, Ohio University is “unable to share details regarding individual student experiences due to privacy concerns” but “can share that the [International Student and Scholar Services] office has been in communication with any students who have been impacted by any changes to their visa status to provide appropriate information and support.”
The Independent submitted a records request to OU related to the visa changes. The Independent also asked OU to share the number of students whose visas have been changed, what “changed” means (cancellation, shortening of stay, etc.), when the university found out about the visa status changes, and the university’s guidance or plans for the students affected.
OU has not yet fulfilled the Independent’s records request; spokesperson Dan Pittman redirected the Independent to the April 9 Ohio News article.
When the Independent requested clarification, Pittman said that the university is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed. He repeated that the university was unable to give specific information because of student privacy concerns.
“We fully recognize the reality that an evolving federal and state legal landscape might be creating concern amongst some within our international student community, and the University encourages those with specific needs to continue to engage with University resources that stand ready to help answer their questions, offer individual support and provide details regarding various opportunities for assistance,” Pittman said in an email to the Independent.
The Independent did not request any information that could be used to identify which students had their visa status changed.
Other Ohio universities have been more transparent: Both Case Western Reserve University and Ohio State University published the number of students affected and shared details of their plans to respond.
More than 1,100 international students were enrolled at OU in fall 2024, according to the student data webpage. Inside Higher Ed has reported that over 1,000 international students studying in the U.S. have had their visas cancelled.
Over 200 colleges and universities have publicly acknowledged changes to their international students’ visas. Neither visa holders nor universities were informed by authorities of the reasons visas were cancelled, according to NBC News.
Students whose visas are cancelled are not unenrolled from their academic program, so they are still able to complete their degrees if their university lets them. However, students with cancelled visas cannot remain in the U.S. after graduation. If they do not return to their home countries, they risk being detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials.
International students across the country have filed multiple lawsuits to block changes to their visa status, including a group of students from Ohio State University.
