U.S. cancels visas for Nigerian, other international students

A wave of unexpected visa cancellations has thrown hundreds of international students, including many Nigerians, into a state of panic across the United States.

“We thought it was unusual at first,” said Matthew Maiona, a Boston-based immigration attorney. “Now it’s coming fast and furious.”

According to a review by the Associated Press, at least 901 students from 128 colleges have already been affected, though advocacy groups warn the actual number may be significantly higher.

While many impacted students come from countries like India and China, immigration attorneys report that no region appears to be immune from the sweeping crackdown. In several cases, students were reportedly flagged for minor infractions, such as traffic violations.

Four students in Michigan have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, claiming their visas were revoked without explanation. Similar legal actions are emerging across the country, with judges in states including New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Montana issuing temporary orders to reinstate some students’ legal status.

In a marked change from previous procedures, universities are now discovering these visa terminations through the federal immigration database—sometimes before the students themselves are notified.

This abrupt policy shift is leaving many students in a state of uncertainty, with some just weeks away from graduation or starting jobs.

With no official response yet from the U.S. State Department or the Department of Homeland Security, confusion continues to grow.

Some students are being told to leave the country immediately, while others remain in the U.S. to appeal the decision—hoping to avoid detention or deportation.

In the meantime, many have adopted new routines: carrying immigration documents at all times and preparing for worst-case scenarios.

“It’s scary,” said a Chinese Ph.D. student at UNC Chapel Hill. “You don’t know if you’ll be the next one.”