Revoked visas for international students were never reinstated, preventing these students from gaining reentry into the U.S., according to multiple sources.
While many of these students regained their SEVIS records — files within a federal database that allow international students to remain in the country — they did not regain their visas.
Martín Quezada, the civil rights director and attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations Arizona, an ASU faculty associate and a former state senator, and Michael Kintscher, the president of the United Campus Workers Arizona union and a doctoral student studying computer science, independently verified that they are unaware of any instances of reinstated visas. An ASU spokesperson said they only knew of SEVIS records being reactivated.
Without a visa, Quezada and Kintscher said these students could not travel to the U.S.
"A lot of students had travel plans; they wanted to go back home, or they wanted to plan out their futures in terms of coming back," Quezada said. "That is all up in the air right now, until they figure out that visa scenario."
While the reinstated SEVIS records are granted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, student visas are granted by the Department of State. Neither federal body responded to requests for comment.
Kintscher said confusion over the difference between visas and SEVIS records was being "weaponized" by the federal government and used "as a way to placate people."
SEVIS, which stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a database that allows the Department of Homeland Security to keep records on schools and international students who come to the U.S., according to an ICE web page. Student visas, a State Department web page says, allow foreign citizens pursuing studies in the U.S. to travel to a port of entry, where Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials can permit or deny entry.
While the loss of visas remains a fear for CAIR-AZ, "our bigger fear is that the administration may come back and try to take away the SEVIS accounts with a different approach," Quezada said.
During a rally in front of the Arizona Capitol on June 2, Quezada said a visa revocation does not solely target individual students.
"It is rejecting potential," Quezada said. "It is rejecting perspective, and it is rejecting the very global spirit that defines higher education."
Quezada called international students "part of our community" and said they also contribute to scientific breakthroughs and bring immense economic and social value.
At the rally, Quezada advocated for universities and elected officials to protect international students.
Quezada said should an Arizona class-action lawsuit develop in regards to reinstating student visas, "CAIR will definitely jump on board and try to help these students as well."
According to an article published by Bloomberg, there are over 1,000 University students awaiting visa interviews after the State Department paused such appointments in late May, according to AZFamily. ASU President Michael Crow also said the University is planning to offer virtual classes to students unable to enter the U.S.
After a federal ban on travel from 12 nations took effect, the University urged some international students to return to the U.S. before June 9, according to ABC15. A University spokesperson said the International Students and Scholars Center sent an email in early June to students from the affected countries related to guidance on the matter.
The order, which President Donald Trump signed last week, restricts citizens from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the U.S.
The ISSC website currently recommends that international students "keep your immigration documents in a safe, readily accessible place" and always carry their most recent I-94 arrival/departure record.
Students can check the validity of their visa through a Department of State program, according to the ISSC website. Students may not be notified of visa revocations in all instances.
"ASU is monitoring the situation closely and remains committed to fully supporting all international students in completing their degree programs," the University spokesperson said in a written statement. "International students remain welcome at ASU and we are providing resources and guidance to support them."
Edited by George Headley, Leah Mesquita and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at coyer1@asu.edu and follow @carstenoyer on X.
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Carsten Oyer is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication, as well as public service and public policy. This is his second semester with The State Press, having previously worked as a politics reporter.
