Updated April 14.
As of April 11, seven post-completion Optional Practical Training participants at Tufts have had their SEVIS records or F-1 visa status terminated. Students can receive up to 12 months of OPT status before and/or after completing their academic studies. Post-completion OPT participants work part-time or full-time in an employment role that is directly related to their studies.
The visas of two Tufts graduate students have been terminated by the federal government, including the visa of Rümeysa Öztürk. The university confirmed on Monday that the federal government terminated the visa of a second graduate student on April 3 but did not disclose their identity.
“We informed the student and directed them to outside immigration resources for support. We are still gathering information and have no additional details at this time,” Patrick Collins, executive director of media relations, wrote in a statement to the Daily.
The university did not immediately provide additional comment.
In the last week, universities across the country learned that their students’ visa status had been terminated without notice amid President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to deport international students who participated in pro-Palestine activism on college campuses.
The universities learned of the students’ visa terminations through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The system is the Department of Homeland Security’s online information system, which keeps a record of international students’ visa status.
On March 27, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that over 300 student visas had been revoked by the State Department. Öztürk, a valid F-1 visa holder, was not notified that her visa was revoked before being detained on March 25. After Öztürk was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at approximately 5:15 p.m., her record on SEVIS was updated to show that her visa was revoked at 7:32 p.m., according to an affidavit signed by University President Sunil Kumar.
The DHS did not immediately respond to the Daily’s request for comment.
