With growing uncertainty surrounding the visa revocations international students are facing across the United States, including San José State students, it is vital to understand their rights.
Under President Donald J.Trump administration, visa revocation has increased, raising confusion and academic concerns for international students, according to an April 8, Inside Higher Ed article.
Lizzie Barrera, a third-year entrepreneurship student, said her initial reaction was when hearing about international student visas being removed.
“I'm just a little confused as to why it's happening. I feel like it's more unfair than anything, there's a stereotype that people come here like immigrants come here just to steal, but they're here getting an education,” Barrera said.
The Trump administration’s recent policy changes have resulted in the revocation of visas for international students across the United States. Over 4,700 international students have lost their visa status with three more students being affected in the West Coast, according to an article by The Guardian published on Friday.
A student who wished to remain anonymous said they are concerned about the increase they have seen regarding the removal of international students.
“Just like many people, I was shocked to see the amount of people who have been affected. We as students want to feel safe and right now it’s more of ‘are we going to be safe?’ ” the student said.
In California alone, federal officials have terminated at least 121 student visas, according to a Wednesday article San Francisco Chronicle Article.
At SJSU, 13 international students have had their visa removed, according to an April 9 Spartan Daily article.
On Monday, SJSU Muslim Student Association along with the California Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Manara West held a presentation “Crisis response protecting yourself & knowing your rights” to provide advice to those in attendance, according to a Friday Instagram post.
The council is the largest group of advocacy for Muslim civil rights that are committed to broadening the understanding of Islam, protection of civil rights, promoting justice and empowering Muslim Americans, according to CAIR California webpage.
Presented by Hasna El-Nounou, the senior programs manager for Manara West, gave students resources on what to do if they are approached by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent (ICE).
“If you’re approached for whatever reason by law enforcement, you have the right to remain silent,” El-Nounou said.
Regardless of a student's status in this country, all individuals have the basic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom to assemble and a guarantee to “due process”, according to Indiana University’s International Student Rights.
However, in the case of Mahmoud Khalil, it raises several questions on if these basic rights will be upheld. Khalil is a Columbia University graduate who was detained by ICE and then transported to central Louisiana for a remote hearing, according an April 11, AP News Article. “There is a main narrative that those getting their visas revoked are mostly pro-Palestinian, anti genocide or Israel.
The students that have been involved in any terms of activism from what we have seen have been identified through an arrest during a demonstration,” El-Nounou said.
Khalil is eligible for deportation from the United States, according to the same AP News article.
The Supreme Court has ruled that people do have the right to challenge the Alien Enemies Act and technically should be given time before they are deported, according to a Thursday, NBC article.
During the presentation, students in attendance were encouraged to carry a red card with guidelines of what to say if encountered by an ICE agent as well as a flyer of what to do and what not to do during an encounter.
Red cards were created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, to help individuals assert their rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution, according to the center's website.
“If detained, or arrested, clearly say, ‘I am invoking my right to remain silent and I want a lawyer’ if you are planning on attending a protest try not to discuss protest plans or immigration status to new individuals,” El-Nounou said.
For SJSU students several sources are available on campus and off campus.
International Student and Scholar Services provides students with the F-1 visa and J-1 exchange students with resources to support them during the day, according to its webpage.
Although these resources are available through websites not a lot of students are aware of these resources that the school provides.
“I just feel like there's nothing being provided for them and if there is not a lot of students know about it,” Barrera said.
