Three international Chapman students have had their visas revoked
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Two graduate students and one post-doctorate student at Chapman have had their visas revoked, according to the report of Acting Provost Glenn Pfeiffer at the April 11 faculty senate meeting.
The meeting notes state that when this happens, students have one week to leave the country. The university is not able to give them legal counsel in this case.
The reasoning for the visas being revoked was not stated at the meeting.
“The State Department does have the legal ability to revoke visas, and they are not obligated to share their reasoning for such a revocation,” stated the Provost’s Report section of the meeting notes.
Lisa Leitz, an associate professor and Chair of the department of peace studies, commented on the situation in an interview with The Panther.
“It’s distressing to know that Chapman grad students and a postdoc have had their visas revoked,” Leitz said. “There is substantial vetting before any difficulty to get a visa, and (President Donald) Trump is revoking these in an unprecedented way that will hurt research in and the reputation of the U.S. This is a cruel tool to use politically.”
Leitz stated that it is the responsibility of the university to fight for its students.
“Chapman should support its students,” Leitz said. “(The) university must come together to fight the attack on higher education, free speech and our beautifully diverse students.”
Chapman supports students in the chance to remotely complete courses in the case that a student’s visa is revoked, although it was said at the meeting that this might not be an option for all classes.
If a student is unable to complete a course or multiple courses, they will receive a refund on tuition, according to the report.
Information regarding the identities of the students was not shared, and outside of the report, no details were mentioned.
However, Pfeiffer stated in the report that “it is important not to spread speculation about revocations.”
This is a developing story that The Panther will continue to report on as the situation unfolds.
