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- Increased immigration enforcement is impacting Utah's higher education institutions with student visas being revoked without notice.
- University of Utah reports 18 students have had their visas revoked.
- Seven other Utah colleges and universities also reported terminated student visas.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Trump administration's increased immigration enforcement efforts are now being felt across Utah's higher education landscape, with the University of Utah reporting that 18 graduate and undergraduate students have had their visas revoked.
These students have also had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System records — digital records maintained by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that track and monitor the status of nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors in the United States — terminated.
The reasons for revoking these visas include "failure to maintain nonimmigrant status" and/or criminal record check, according to a statement from the university.
Around half of the U. students affected are from China, with others from elsewhere, including India and countries in the Middle East.
The U.'s statement also says international students may have their visas revoked or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System records terminated, at any time during any school year, as the result of an arrest or being charged with criminal activity.
What's different this time around is records are being terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System — sometimes without notice to the university or the student, the university said.
Additionally, University of Utah spokeswoman Rebecca Walsh said none of the U. students impacted by the visa revocation have been flagged for participating in protests.
"As a public institution of higher education, the University of Utah follows state and federal law. We are currently in a period of enhanced immigration enforcement," said the U.'s statement. "We are sharing guidance with our international students and scholars about the ways they can stay in good standing and maintain their visa status."
A letter obtained by KSL.com Wednesday sent to an unnamed student from the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Office warned the student that staying in the U.S. without lawful immigration status can result in fines, detention and/or deportation.
"It may also make you ineligible for a future U.S. visa. Please note that deportation can take place at a time that does not allow the person being deported to secure possessions or conclude affairs in the United States. Persons being deported may be sent to countries other than their countries of origin," said the letter.
Utah Tech University told KSL.com that nine students have had visas revoked as of Wednesday. Southern Utah University also has nine students impacted, university spokeswoman Brooke Heath confirmed Wednesday. Weber State University reported five students having their visas revoked. Salt Lake Community College said it has had three student visas terminated. Utah Valley University has also had three student visas terminated. Two students have been similarly impacted at Snow College.
Westminster University said in a statement that the school is "in touch with our international students, and to our knowledge we do not have any students whose visas have been revoked."
Utah State University spokesman Logan Wilber confirmed some USU students have had their visas revoked, but the university would say how many, saying the decision was "to protect the privacy of those affected."
