As of April 21, more than 1,500 students from several hundred colleges and universities, have had a sudden change in their F-1/J-1 visa status or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) status. In many of these cases, the exact reasons for these changes in visa status remain unclear, and several universities have stated that they only discovered the changes by consulting the SEVIS database.
Due to these circumstances, Hopkins held a virtual “Community Updates” conversation to address immigration and student visa concerns on April 15.
During the session, administrators acknowledged the recent increase in detainments and visa revocations by federal agents and confirmed that there have been 37 Hopkins graduate students who have had their visas revoked, while also discussing related executive orders. The Office of International Services (OIS) is currently offering free resources for affected students, such as immigration, visa and travel guidance to support international students. The OIS office also stated that they are attempting to work with students that have had their visas revoked one-on-one to create plans that allow them to continue their studies and receive legal counsel.
Following the “Community Updates” conversation, the international Hopkins community reflected on the event and resources provided by the University. An international undergraduate student using the pseudonym Donna wrote to The News-Letter that she was not able to attend the event, because she was not aware that it was happening.
“I didn’t attend the Community [Updates] on Tuesday because I didn’t know [about it],” she wrote. “It would have been great if they would have advertised further, as I would have liked to join.”
Donna also reflected on the timeliness and scope of the communications that have been initiated by the University, emphasizing the need to keep parents in the loop.
“In general, I like that the OIS has been giving us [updates] on our status,” they wrote. “However, the information that they have been providing us is usually late and generally already available or heard from campus or social media. I was hoping either OIS or Public Safety could give reassurance to our parents, as the situation has been making them worried, even more so than the students themselves.”
Despite official statements and resource offerings, some students expressed that the University’s actions fall short of the support that has been demonstrated elsewhere by peer institutions.
Another international undergraduate student, going by the pseudonym Amanda, wrote to The News-Letter about their decision not to attend “Community Updates,” citing a lack of faith in its efficacy.
“I didn't attend because I didn't think that getting updates [were] going to help me — because it doesn't seem like Hopkins is taking action to protect its international students and ultimately we're on our own so I didn't see the point of it,” they explained. “As far as I know, the only resources are informational websites and updates. If there are more resources, they aren't very accessible to me because I haven't heard of any. These resources are better than nothing, but Johns Hopkins has done nothing close to what other universities on similar levels have done to protect their students (like Harvard, for instance), and more action-based efforts can be made.”
Amid ongoing uncertainties and insufficient protections, students have also voiced concerns about their futures, especially in relation to the current challenges faced by graduate students. One student, using the pseudonym Alex, shared their perspective about these uncertainties in an email to The News-Letter.
“There’s a lot of anxiety even for undergraduates because it feels like our future plans, such as graduate school or work, could be upended anytime. The lack of clear guidance for the future just adds to the stress,” Alex stated.
While students like Donna expressed disappointment in the University’s communication and timeliness, faculty members on temporary visas are also voicing deep-seated anxieties and a lack of institutional trust. For some, the issue extends beyond missed information.
One faculty member on an H-1B visa using the pseudonym Bella, shared their experience and perspective with The News-Letter in an email, voicing concern over what they see as the University's passive response. In light of increasing uncertainty, Bella has taken precautions such as informing colleagues of their legal status, sharing sensitive documents with trusted individuals and preparing for the possibility of sudden detainment or removal. These steps, they explained, are the result of personal initiative rather than institutional guidance.
“I did not attend because I had no reason to believe new or more helpful information would be provided than that I already knew,” Bella explained. “The information and resources provided suggest that the university is trying to limit exposure and institutional liability but they are not reassuring to those of us who are here in visas or otherwise vulnerable. I have found information from the ACLU, the AAUP, the Chronicle on Higher Ed and the KSAS faculty senate more helpful. As in literally: what am I supposed to do if my visa is revoked or I am confronted by ICE agents on or off campus?”
Bella then described the University’s position as not only inadequate but actively harmful.
“The university’s positioning is beyond disappointing and I believe detrimental to the institution in the short AND long term,” they wrote. “Try [to] imagine JHU without international students, faculty and staff. Who will still want to come here? Like many internationals, I feel like a sitting duck waiting to be axed. Any moment an OIS email could pop up in my inbox and spell the end of my time here.”
Student and community organizations, including Hopkins Justice Collective and Teachers and Researchers United, have criticized the University’s public response and perceived minimal protections for international students, especially in light of peer institutions announcing resistance against the Trump administration and offering significant financial support to affected students.
Beyond those who are directly affected by visa policy changes, non-citizen students with permanent legal status in the U.S. have also expressed concern over the institution’s handling of the situation. One student, using the pseudonym Tim, who is a permanent resident in the U.S., emphasized that Hopkins has a moral obligation to take stronger action in safeguarding those in its community.
“I think the university needs to do more to protect its students. At a place where learning is prioritized, having this unnecessary fear held over the students' heads is unproductive,” Tim wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “Many international students are here alone, so the only real protection they have is the university. When the university admits the students, both the students and the university share [the] responsibility and [the] risk of the student being here. The university is the only one with some power to protect the students because the students are vulnerable.”
In an email to The News-Letter, a University spokesperson reiterated their efforts to provide assistance and guidance to international students who are affected by the situation.
“The Office of International Services is continuing to work to provide resources to support international JHU affiliates,” they wrote. “Members of our community with questions about visas, immigration status, or related issues are encouraged to contact OIS directly for individual support and assistance.”
The News-Letter is actively reporting on visa terminations, detainment and actions by ICE. If you have any information, please send a tip to tips@jhunewsletter.com or utilize our anonymous tip form.
