Visa Revocation Frequently Asked Questions - Prince George's Community College

In the past few weeks, many colleges across the United States have reported numerous instances of international students having their student visas revoked and their Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records terminated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While initially these revocations appeared focused on politically active graduate students at 4-year universities, it now appears that international students may be targeted based on other criteria, such as having been charged with or convicted of a crime, prior visa infractions, and being from certain countries deemed by the current presidential administration to be hostile to the United States.

The College has put together some Frequently Asked Questions for all international students and others who have concerns or questions about visa revocations.

This document is also available on the College website's Enrollment Steps Page

Enrollment Steps

Choose question: What does it mean if my student visa is revoked?

The U.S. Department of State has the authority to revoke a previously issued student visa. If a visa is revoked, that means you can no longer use it for entry into the United States. However, you are not subject to removal from the country just because your visa has been revoked. If you continue to meet the criteria for maintaining your visa status, such as full-time enrollment in a credit, degree-seeking program of study, your immigration status remains valid (although you could be removed for other reasons, such as being convicted of a crime). The most immediate impact of a revoked visa is that you will no longer be able to reenter the United States with that visa if you leave the country.; How will I know if my student visa is revoked?

When the U.S. Department of State revokes a visa, it typically notifies the email address on the visa application, which may not be your PGCC email address. However, there have been reports of inconsistent notification. If you have not received an email and you believe your visa may have been revoked, you should contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued your visa, or you can check your visa status using the Department of State’s Visa Status Portal.; What does it mean if my SEVIS record is terminated?

Termination of a student visa holder’s SEVIS record means that the student is no longer in compliance with their F-1 or M-1 visa. Typically, only designated school officials terminate SEVIS records, and they do so for reasons like expulsion, failure to enroll in a course of study, or failure to report to school. However, DHS has recently started terminating SEVIS records on their own, in some cases because the student’s visa has been revoked. In other words, where the Department of State revokes a student visa, DHS has now started using that as a basis for terminating a student’s SEVIS record, meaning the student is now at risk of removal.; How will I know if my SEVIS record is terminated?

In most cases, DHS has not notified students or colleges when terminating a student’s SEVIS record. Prince George’s Community College’s Office of Records and Registration has started checking the College’s SEVIS database each day to see whether any student’s record has been terminated. In that event, the College will immediately notify the student.; What should I do if my student visa is revoked or my SEVIS record is terminated?

Your first step should be to immediately contact an immigration attorney. Here is a list of local resources through which you can be connected to a free or low-cost attorney. If you receive notification that your student visa has been revoked, please also notify the Office of Records and Registration so that it can double check whether your SEVIS record has been terminated.; What should I do if stopped or taken into custody by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials?

If an ICE official approaches you, you should be polite and respectful, not run away. Do not lie or show false documents. Carry around proof of student visa status with you wherever you go. Remember that you have the right to remain silent. If an ICE official asks you to come with them, ask whether you are “being detained” and, if you are not, you may politely refuse to go with them and back away slowly.

If you are detained, remember you have the right to an attorney before speaking with ICE officials or signing any documents. If you require one, ask for an interpreter. It is best practice to document the names and badge numbers of any officials that speak to you.

Contact Us

Further questions can be directed to a Designated School Official (DSO) by emailing internationalgroup@pgcc.edu, and students are also encouraged to reach out to the Mental Health and Wellness Center if they need someone to talk to.

Our international students are valued members of the Prince George’s Community College community, and the College is here to support them during these uncertain, trying times.