Trump administration yanks student visas in Kentucky, Ohio. Why were some students targeted?

Beth Musgrave, Lexington Herald-Leader on Apr 7, 2025

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Some Kentucky and Ohio universities have reported some foreign students have had their visas revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of what appears to be a wider, nationwide purge of international students who entered the country to study in the United States.

It’s not known how many students have lost their student visas in Kentucky, Ohio and across the country. The revocations appear to be part of a much broader crackdown on foreign students. It’s also not known why some students visas were revoked while others were not.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in late March more than 300 student visas were yanked largely because of those students’ activism, particularly those who have supported Palestine. It’s not clear if any of the students who have been forced to leave Kentucky and Ohio universities are part of this crackdown.

University of Cincinnati officials confirmed Monday they’ve has been notified that several students at the university have had their visas revoked. UC has an undergraduate and graduate population of 53,000 students. About 8.7 % of its student body — roughly 4,600 students — are international students, according to its website.

A Thursday campus message from UC President Neville Pinto said the revocation affects “a small number of international students.”

“UC representatives are in touch with each of our impacted students, and we are doing what we can to support them during this incredibly challenging time. While we are aware that this is happening at universities across the nation, we have not been contacted by authorities, nor have we been given specific reasons for these revocations,” Pinto said in the email shared with the Herald-Leader.

University of Kentucky officials announced Friday that some foreign students on UK’s campus had also had student visas revoked.

“The University of Kentucky has learned that the Department of Homeland Security has revoked the F-1 student visas and/or status for a small number of international graduate students at UK. University officials immediately reach out to students in these circumstances to provide information and support,” said UK President Eli Capilouto.

“We recognize the impact visa and/or status revocation has on our students. I know, too, that this news will surface many questions.”

UK has not released the number of graduate students affected. UK officials said it had 1,300 international students at the Lexington-based university. It’s total enrollment is 36,000 students, according to its website.

Jay Blanton, a UK spokesperson, said because the number of students is so small, it does not want to release any information that would compromise student privacy.

It seems some universities’ students were targeted by federal immigration officials while other universities’ foreign students have not.

Officials with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green and University of Louisville said Monday they have not been notified of any student visa terminations.

Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University officials did not immediately return emails asking for comment.

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