In the last several days, 11 international students and graduates from UC Santa Barbara had their visas reinstated after sudden federal revocations. Twelve visas were terminated overall, leaving one student’s visa inactive.
On April 25, seven international students’ F-1 visas were reinstated, according to UCSB media spokesperson Kiki Reyes. On Monday, four more visas were reinstated. F-1 visas allow international students to attend an American educational institution.
According to the New York Times, the Trump administration restored “thousands” of F-1 visas on Friday. More than 1,500 student visas across the country had been revoked since March, with approximately 50 from the University of California (UC) as of April 8.
Since last reported on April 9, the number of revoked UCSB student visas increased from 10 to 12. According to Reyes, 10 students who had their visas restored are current students, and one is a recent graduate.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) is currently working on a policy that would “provide a framework for status record termination,” according to NBC News, meaning legal issues for international students may continue in the future.
Over the last month, international students who publicly engaged in pro-Palestine activism have said they’ve been targeted for their actions.
The Nexus will continue to report on this topic as more information becomes available.
A version of this article appeared on p. 1 of the May 1, 2025 edition of the Daily Nexus.
