The University of Oregon (UO) is dealing with fallout after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) abruptly canceled an international student’s visa without notifying the university in advance. The action, taken on March 28, left university officials unaware of the termination until after it occurred.
According to a UO spokesperson, the student’s nonimmigrant visa was revoked due to unspecified criminal charges. Federal officials did not share any details with the university about the alleged charges or the circumstances leading to the cancellation.
By law, universities are required to notify international students when their visa is terminated. From that point, the student has 15 days to leave the United States unless they secure another legal status. However, UO said they were unable to fulfill this obligation because they were never alerted to the visa termination beforehand.
University officials stressed that they were not involved in reporting the student to authorities, nor did they initiate any actions that led to the visa being revoked. They also emphasized their commitment to helping students in such situations navigate the legal and administrative challenges that follow.
UO is now working to gather more information and is handling the matter with what it called “care and respect for the student’s privacy.” The university continues to assist students whose immigration status is disrupted, though this case highlights a breakdown in communication between federal agencies and higher education institutions.
The incident raises broader questions about DHS procedures and the lack of coordination when sudden actions affect international students. The university community has not been informed of the specific charges or whether the student remains in the country.
