AMHERST, N.Y. — Thirteen F-1 visa holders at the University at Buffalo — four current students and nine recent graduates — had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record unexpectedly revoked in the last week by the Department of Homeland Security’s Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Student and Exchange Visitor Program, the university confirmed Wednesday. 

“We’re seeing the government kind of use this broad terminology saying whatever they see on the individual’s file is problematic from a security perspective,” said Rosanna Berardi, an U.S. immigration lawyer.

Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the Trump administration has revoked at least 300 visas. Rubio also said that the Department of Homeland Security would continue to identify student visa holders who it felt had taken advantage of their visas.

“We deny visas every day and we can revoke visas,” said Rubio. “If you have the power to deny, you have the power to revoke.” 

The University at Buffalo confirmed the terminations in a statement, adding in part that, “While it is unclear at this time the exact reason for each visa revocation and status termination, the actions appear to be consistent with a recent change in enforcement approach by the U.S. State Department, which recently stated that it will have zero tolerance for noncitizens, including student visa holders, who violate U.S. laws, indicating that visa holders who break the law may face status termination.” 

“We have seen on campuses across the country where students literally cannot go to school," said Rubio. “Buildings are being taken over, activities going on. This is clearly an organized movement. And if you are in this country on a student visa and are a participant in those movements, we have a right to deny your visa.”

Student visas can be revoked for any criminal activity or anything deemed in contrast to national security and safety, however, immigration experts say that notice of a visa getting revoked is not necessarily the end all be all for students.

“Oftentimes when they are notified that their visa’s terminated, they may have the ability to go to immigration court and ask a judge to make a decision,” said Berardi. “So this isn't the time to just say, ‘OK, I'll leave tomorrow.’ They should really speak to a competent immigration lawyer that can tell them their rights.”