At least 9 international student visas revoked at Colorado universities
Apr 01, 2025
DENVER (KDVR) — Just days after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that at least 300 international visas to the U.S. had been canceled, reports are surfacing that at least nine student visas in Colorado were among those revoked.
It's unclear why the visas were revoked. The University of Colora
do confirmed that four of its international students who were attending on F-1 visas had their visas revoked. The students were at the Boulder and Colorado Springs campuses. Later, Colorado State University confirmed five of its international students had been "impacted by visa revocations."
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"At CU we are focused on supporting the success of all of our students, including international students. Each one of our students are seeking to advance their careers and the lives of their families, and we understand the anxieties that visa revocations cause to impacted students," CU Boulder said. "We urge any international student with questions or concerns to reach out to their campus’ international student office."
The university said it would not be releasing information about specific students and their circumstances because federal laws protect students' privacy rights, but could provide the information if it is court-ordered. In December, the university said it would "continue to support" its foreign student enrollment despite concerns regarding President Trump's immigration policies.
On March 29, Colorado State University posted a message about its international student community.
"We are aware that some CSU international students have been impacted by visa revocations and SEVIS terminations issued by the U.S. Department of State," the university said, adding that impacted students should immediately contact their embassy and the CSU Office of International Programs.
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"As we navigate this fluid situation, the Office of International Programs is available to provide support to our international students and scholars, and we will do our best to answer questions and advise you appropriately during these uncertain times," the university stated.
"I don’t know actually if it’s primarily student visas. It’s a combination of visas," Rubio told reporters on March 28. "They’re visitors to the country. If they’re taking activities that are counter to our foreign – to our national interest, to our foreign policy, we’ll revoke the visa."
He was asked about whether any of the visas related to students engaging in protests, particularly pro-Palestine protests. One journalist asked if someone on a student visa could see their visa revoked for protesting peacefully or through writing. Rubio responded by saying "no one has a right to a visa" and that the opinions being expressed have crossed a line.
"We deny visas every day for all kinds of reasons all over the world," Rubio told reporters, noting there are some visas revoked based on the history of overstaying visas from a particular country of origin and other issues.
"I would argue that the – what I would add to it is what we have seen on campuses across the country where students literally cannot go to school, you cannot – buildings are being taken over, activities going on – this is clearly an organized movement," Rubio continued on March 28. "And if you are in this country on a student visa and are a participant in those movements, we have a right to deny your visa. I think it would make sense to deny your visa. We’re going to err on the side of caution. We are not going to be importing activists into the United States. They’re here to study. They’re here to go to class. They’re not here to lead activist movements that are disruptive and undermine the – our universities. I think it’s lunacy to continue to allow that."
FOX31 is working to confirm further information about student visas that have been canceled in Colorado, including what the revocation means for the students who held these visas. ...read more read less