The visas for six University of California University of Los Angeles students have been revoked by the US government amid President Donald Trump’s promise to target what he said in the name of national security.
UCLA Prime Minister Julio Frenk announced in a message to the campus community on Sunday that six current and six former students, part of the training program, had ended their visas. He added that those numbers are “fluid and can change.”
The university recognized termination during a routine audit of the school’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records. UCLA did not identify students whose visas were affected.
“The termination notice indicates that all termination is due to a violation of the terms of the individual’s visa program,” Frenk’s message read. “At this time, UCLA is not aware of federal law enforcement activities on campus related to these terminations.”
The Prime Minister reiterated his March 12 statement that he supports non-citizen students in his research at UCLA.
“In this climate, we want to reaffirm the immigration and the international Bruins: you are not alone. You belong to UCLA,” the statement said. “You are an important part of our community and we are fully committed to supporting our ability to work, learn, teach and thrive here.
The H1-B program allows American employers to sponsor visas for highly skilled workers from overseas that are not easily found in the American workforce.
The University of California said it knows that some international students on campus are being affected.
“This is a fluid situation and we continue to monitor and evaluate its impact on the UC community and those affected,” the UC system said. “We are committed to doing what we can to support all members of our community in exercising our rights under the law. By doing that, the University will comply with all applicable state and federal laws.”
The visa termination felt by affected UCLA students is part of a nationwide trend in which 300 student visas are revoked. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the number at a press conference in Guyana, where the administration called it “everyday.”
The video shows students being approached by immigration officers on the streets and being held at a detention centre.
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