UAlbany students rally after some visas revoked
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ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A trend across the nation is now being seen in the Capital Region. Some international students attending local colleges recently had their student visas revoked. According to protesters and elected officials, who gathered Thursday to support the students' continuing education, there’s been no explanation why.
More than 50 University at Albany students and community members came together for a rally on campus. The day before, the school’s student newspaper broke the news that two current and two recent graduates had their F-1 visas revoked by the federal government.
“Part of what made me come here was the fact that it’s so diverse, and it’s supposed to be standing up for its students even though they’re not right now,” sociology major MJ said.
UAlbany confirmed the four terminated visas, adding the college was never formally notified by the federal government. A spokesperson went on to say in-part:
“We are fully committed to providing support to affected students and have been in contact with each of these students. Multiple offices across the University are assisting them with the full scale of resources and support available.“
UAlbany isn’t the only local college scrambling to react. State Senator Pat Fahy said three students from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and one Siena College student also had their visas revoked.
“It is all persons in this country, an unalienable right to due process," she said. "There have been no charges filed. We don’t even know what the accusation is. Yet there is this extraordinary attack on our institutions.”
People at the rally may not have gotten all of their questions answered. That's why they said they will continue to stand up for their classmates.
“They’re here to get their education just like we are, who are citizens, maybe not citizens," sociology major Fatima Dosso said. "Everyone deserves to have an education wherever they’re coming from.”
As of this week, SUNY reports 40 students recently had a change in visa status. NEWS10 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about the student visas and is still awaiting a response.