‘I've been nothing but transparent': Former UIC student speaks out after his visa was revoked
CHICAGO - It was a typical Thursday night for the financial analyst, who was watching "Lord of the Rings" when he got the email with the subject line "visa revoked." At first, the University of Illinois Chicago grad from India thought it was a joke - just a scam email from some Indian website trying to mess with him.
But then he received a second email after he tried logging into his Student and Exchange Visitor Program portal. "Your OPT authorization period has ended," the email read.
At that moment, his entire life paused. The former student, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, graduated from UIC in 2023 and was continuing to work in the U.S. on a STEM optional practical training extension. He previously worked at Bank of America and was being considered for a role at J.P. Morgan.
Now, he has to focus on self-deporting, selling off items like his TV and giving away other belongings to his friends. He plans on leaving the country April 13 and is unsure whether he'll even be able to work for J.P. Morgan.
"I would choose to stay and fight but on Reddit I've been hearing different stories about ICE detaining students," the former student said.
He is one of hundreds of international students nationwide who have had their visas terminated in the past few weeks for unclear or arbitrary reasons.
At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a student one month away from graduating seemingly had her visa revoked for a previous traffic violation. In Florida, a student from Colombia was taken into custody by immigration agents after he was stopped by Gainesville police with an expired registration and driver's license. He signed his self-deportation and returned home.
In Illinois alone, dozens of students have had their visas revoked, with seven confirmed cases from the University of Chicago and eight confirmed cases from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. A high-ranking official at U. of I. who did not have permission to speak on the record told the Tribune that 19 students had their visas rescinded, according to data in the SEVIS system, an online system used to monitor the records and information of international students on F-1 or J-1 visas and keep track of students whose visa status is being challenged.
Students from UIC, Northwestern and Southern Illinois University Carbondale also have had their visas terminated; officials from those schools declined to say how many.
The mass terminations have left students scrambling, with many unsure what to do next and whether they can continue their studies.
"These calls are flooding in," said Jon Velie, an immigration and litigation attorney in Oklahoma whose firm is preparing to file a lawsuit in response to the student visa revocations. "I probably had 10 different people call a day, a couple just walked in. It's nuts. There's a lot of anxiety."
Among the students he's spoken to, Velie found that many of those who had their visas revoked had traffic violations or misdemeanor cases that were dropped - incidents he said do not rise to the level of a deportable offense.
"You retroactively can't change the law," Velie said. "So if a new law changed and said that a parking ticket was a deportable offense, you can't go back retroactively and say 'You parked illegally last week or two years ago or in 1999.' Laws don't work that way."
Legal experts say once a SEVIS record is terminated, a student's legal status becomes immediately invalid and they must either leave the U.S. within the grace period, typically 15 days, or take steps to restore their status. Otherwise, they may risk deportation and future visa restrictions.
The UIC grad, originally from India, said his university was not aware of his visa revocation until he called student legal services for guidance. The email he received from the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai regarding his visa termination, which was reviewed by the Tribune, said only that the visa was revoked because "additional information became available" after the visa was issued.
Some visa terminations have been related to participation in pro-Palestinian protests or political speech criticizing Israel, such as the high-profile case of Mahmoud Khalil, who helped lead last spring's protests at Columbia University and now faces possible deportation despite facing no criminal charges.
The UIC grad believes the reason his visa may have been revoked is a misdemeanor charge back in 2019. He was working in the U.S. at the time and said he got into a fight with a girlfriend he was living with at the time. The neighbors overheard the fight and eventually ended up calling the cops on him, which led to him getting arrested.
Charges were never pressed against him and the court ordered him to take anger management classes. He never had any run-ins with the law after that.
Several months later, the former student lost his job in a round of layoffs. That layoff, combined with the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic, led him to return to India.
The former student has since tried to move on from the arrest, but he said the incident left a huge mark on his conscience.
"I just don't want my life to be defined by some misunderstanding that the neighbors had," he said. "I have just been trying to get my education, move forward in life, not to get into situations like these again."
And he's been doing just that. He reentered the U.S. in 2022 to begin his master's program at UIC, during which he was honest about the arrest.
"I've been nothing but transparent with the U.S. government," the former student said. "During my reapplication, I had all the relevant paperwork related to my misdemeanor. Since charges were dropped and the case was dismissed after taking anger management sessions, I was approved for a visa by the officer in my home country."
The former student had an arrest record on file and nothing else, and while that arrest record caused extra scrutiny from his former employer Bank of America later down the line, it ultimately did not stop him from getting the job.
Coming to America to study was also a huge dream for him ever since he was 18. He thought there were more opportunities here in the field he was interested in. He persuaded his parents to let him go to the U.S. and in 2014, started his studies in computer science at Rutgers University.
"I was a guy who never left his home, and everyone assumed that I would be home sick a lot," he said.
But once he arrived in the U.S., he found himself flourishing. Here, he said he could pursue different paths of intellectual curiosity and take classes that had nothing to do with his computer science studies, something he did not feel like he could do back in India.
"You feel like your life is in your own hands. You can do whatever you want with your life," he said.
That possibility is what made him want to continue to work and study in the U.S. The former student, now 29, said his dream was to work in the U.S. at a bank for a long period of time, pursue a Ph.D. in the U.S. and potentially become a professor. Now, he is giving up those dreams and is going to begin the application process for Ph.D. programs in Europe.
"I was really angry. I was really angry with myself. I was really angry with the things that are happening," he said. "I'm trying not to think about it, and trying to avoid processing it."
Experts have previously told the Tribune that the mass student visa cancellations may cause some students with strong training and educational background in STEM fields to take their skills elsewhere.
"You can take your degree and go somewhere else," said Ida Salusky, a research associate professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine who works with many international students in the biomedical sciences. "If people feel unwelcome or they feel like they're going to be under threat, if and when they transition from a student visa to a work visa, if you're an engineer or you're a highly skilled biochemist, you can get jobs in other countries."
The UIC graduate felt that sentiment.
"I'm just trying to avoid all the future risk that I might have after reapplication here," he said. "So in my mind, I think Ph.D. programs in Europe make sense because the reason for visa revocation here is probably going to be the only thing that is going to cause any issues at all if I apply to colleges there."
Still, the decision to pivot away from his dreams was not an easy one and even shocked some of his friends.
"My friends think of me as a person who won't stop until he gets what he wants," he said. "So me basically saying that I'm not going to do that anymore is more of a shock than whatever visa revocation shock that I faced. … I think that goes to show how dedicated I've been so far to make my dreams happen."
____
Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Trump and Rubio secure Rwanda-Congo peace treaty amid Pakistan's Nobel Prize nomination
President Donald Trump announced on Friday he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had secured a 'wonderful' treaty between Rwanda and Congo, as Pakistan formally nominated him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. 'I am very happy to report that I have arranged, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a wonderful Treaty between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Rwanda, in their War, which was known for violent bloodshed and death, more so even than most other Wars, and has gone on for decades,' Trump wrote in a Truth Social announcement. The president noted representatives from Rwanda and the Congo will be in Washington on Monday to sign documents. He went on to discuss his chances at winning a Nobel Peace Prize, claiming he wouldn't get one, 'no matter what I do.' 'This is a Great Day for Africa and, quite frankly, a Great Day for the World,' Trump wrote in the post. 'I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for this, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the War between India and Pakistan, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the War between Serbia and Kosovo, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for keeping Peace between Egypt and Ethiopia (A massive Ethiopian built dam, stupidly financed by the United States of America, substantially reduces the water flowing into The Nile River), and I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for doing the Abraham Accords in the Middle East which, if all goes well, will be loaded to the brim with additional Countries signing on, and will unify the Middle East for the first time in 'The Ages!' 6 President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio speak with reporters at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, NJ on June 8, 2025. AP 'No, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do, including Russia/Ukraine, and Israel/Iran, whatever those outcomes may be, but the people know, and that's all that matters to me!' On Wednesday, India refuted claims by Trump that he had stopped the war between Pakistan and India. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri wrote in a news release that 'talks for ceasing military action happened directly between India and Pakistan through existing military channels, and on the insistence of Pakistan,' according to a report from Reuters. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India 'has not accepted mediation in the past and will never do,' Misri noted in the statement. 6 Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosts a Declaration of Principles signing ceremony with representatives from the Congo and Rwanda at the State Department on April 25, 2025. AP The mention of a Nobel Peace Prize came nearly two hours after the Government of Pakistan published a lengthy post on X, formally recommending Trump for the honor. 'The Government of Pakistan has decided to formally recommend President Donald J. Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis,' the post read. 'The international community bore witness to unprovoked and unlawful Indian aggression, which constituted a grave violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives, including women, children, and the elderly.' 6 Members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during a presentation in Goma, DRC on May 10, 2025. AFP via Getty Images 6 President Joe Biden meets with DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi durign the G20 of World Leaders Summit in Rome, Italy on Oct. 30, 2021. POOL/AFP via Getty Images Pakistani leaders said at a moment of heightened regional turbulence, Trump demonstrated 'great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship' through 'robust diplomatic engagement' with both Islamabad and New Delhi, securing a ceasefire. 'This intervention stands as a testament to his role as a genuine peacemaker and his commitment to conflict resolution through dialogue,' the post continued. 'The Government of Pakistan also acknowledges and greatly admires President Trump's sincere offers to help resolve the longstanding dispute of Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan—an issue that lies at the heart of regional instability. 'President Trump's leadership during the 2025 Pakistan India crisis manifestly showcases the continuation of his legacy of pragmatic diplomacy and effective peace-building. Pakistan remains hopeful that his earnest efforts will continue to contribute towards regional and global stability, particularly in the context of ongoing crises in the Middle East, including the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating escalation involving Iran.' 6 Rwanda President Paul Kagame delivers a speech in Kigali, Rwanda on April 7, 2025. Getty Images 6 The Nobel Peace Prize during the production process in Eskilstuna, Sweden, on Oct. 29, 2019. AFP via Getty Images According to The Nobel Prize's website, to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, a person must be a 'qualified nominator,' which includes national governments, heads of state, previous award winners, and members of specific international organizations. The nomination process is confidential, and entries are due by Jan. 31, hence the 2026 nomination.
The Hill
8 hours ago
- The Hill
Trump gripes he won't get Nobel Peace Prize 'no matter what‘ as global conflicts persist
President Trump on Friday celebrated a newly announced deal to end the conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo but lamented that he may not win a Nobel Peace Prize for his work in the deal, or for other international agreements he helped negotiate in office. The State Department announced Wednesday that Rwanda and Congo will sign a deal to end fighting in eastern Congo, where rebels that Congo has accused Rwanda of backing have seized strategic cities since January. The United States was brought in to assist the peace talks at the request of Congo President Felix Tshekedi. 'This is a Great Day for Africa and, quite frankly, a Great Day for the World,' Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, calling the agreement 'a wonderful Treaty.' But he also griped that he believed he may not receive accolades for the deal, nor for a host of other conflicts that the United States has helped resolve. 'I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for this, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the War between India and Pakistan, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the War between Serbia and Kosovo,' he wrote, also naming conflicts in North Africa and the Middle East. Trump's post came just hours after Pakistan announced that it would nominate him for the Peace Prize. India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire in May after several days of intense rocket fire between the two countries, an agreement that Trump said he played a significant role in. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to downplay Trump's claims. Trump also said repeatedly on the campaign trail that he should be awarded the prize, which former President Obama won in 2009. Pakistan's nomination of Trump marks his fifth nomination. The pool of people who can submit nominations for the award is extensive, including university professors and members of national assemblies such as Congress. Michael Jackson and the international soccer federation FIFA have also been nominated in the past. 'No, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do, including Russia/Ukraine, and Israel/Iran, whatever those outcomes may be, but the people know, and that's all that matters to me!' Trump added.
The Hill
10 hours ago
- The Hill
Judge blocks Trump administration effort to bar international students at Harvard
A federal judge indefinitely blocked a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) effort to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs said she would grant Harvard's motion at a hearing late last month, and Friday's order puts it in full force with a requirement that the Trump administration provide an update on how they're complying within 72 hours. Last month, DHS rescinded Harvard's ability to participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which would effectively block the school from enrolling new international students and force current ones to transfer or lose their legal status. It's part of a broader battle the administration has waged with the Ivy League School over its refusal to comply with a list of demands, which include changes to its admissions and hiring policies and a stronger stance against antisemitism. Burroughs, an appointee of former President Obama, quickly agreed to block the DHS revocation on a temporary basis. Friday's order extends the block indefinitely as the litigation proceeds. After Harvard went to court, President Trump himself took aim at the school by signing a proclamation that blocks visas for foreign students planning to attend Harvard. Burroughs temporarily halted that proclamation on an emergency basis, but she has yet to decide whether it, too, will be indefinitely blocked as the lawsuit moves ahead. The judge heard arguments in her courtroom on Monday. Earlier on Friday, Trump suggested he is on the cusp of reaching a 'deal' with Harvard. 'Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution. We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.
