UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry Yang said some international students with F-1 visas have had their visas terminated by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Seven current students and three recent graduates have had their visa records terminated with no advance notice, according to UCSB spokeswoman Kiki Reyes.
“We understand that these developments may cause significant concern and anxiety for many members of our UC Santa Barbara community, especially for our international students, staff and faculty,” Yang wrote in a message to the campus community this week. “We reiterate our strong support for all of our international students.”
The F-1 visas allow international students to study in the United States and sometimes allow them to work for a limited time during or after their studies on Optical Practice Training.
Yang wrote to the campus community that the university is reaching out to the affected students and graduates to connect them with resources.
“We embrace our international students and scholars as essential to making UC Santa Barbara a global crossroads of knowledge, and one of the leading public universities in the world,” Yang wrote. “Your contributions enrich our campus community, and we are proud to have you as part of our university family.”
International students were encouraged to contact the Office of International Students and Scholars for assistance and guidance and to review the university’s “know your rights” card.
On Tuesday, University of California President Michael Drake wrote that his office was aware of 50 students and recent graduates who have had their visas terminated.
“The government has not coordinated with UC leaders on their decisions or provided advance notice to us, but has indicated in government databases that the terminations were due to violations of the terms of the individuals’ visa programs,” Drake wrote. “At this time, we are not aware of any federal law enforcement activity on our campuses.”
He added that chancellors and campus leaders were closely monitoring recent visa terminations and assessing the implications for the UC community.
Santa Barbara City College spokesman Jordan Killebrew said no international students there have had their visas revoked and that the college is monitoring the situation closely, should things change.
Scott Craig, manager of media relations at Westmont College, said they were not aware of any changed statuses for students.