Staff Writer
Officials at the University of Central Florida (UCF) have confirmed 15 international students had their visas terminated within the past month, with one student taken into custody. The university has reiterated its commitment to following all state and federal regulations as part of its obligations as a public institution.
According to university officials, UCF monitors international student status using the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a database operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Internal reviews show that since March 25, 15 student visas have been revoked at UCF, and one student was subsequently detained.
The visa terminations are part of a larger pattern across Florida, where recent changes in federal immigration enforcement have impacted international students at dozens of institutions. However, a major shift occurred on Friday when the U.S. State Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reversed a policy that had contributed to the termination of many student visas in recent weeks, easing fears of detention and deportation, as reported by WESH.
In response to growing concerns, UCF Global hosted a private session Friday afternoon for international students to discuss recent developments, their legal rights, and next steps. Led by UCF Global staff and a campus counselor, the meeting provided reassurance and practical advice for students concerned about maintaining their immigration status.
The gathering took place after weeks of uncertainty triggered by ICE’s announcement that it would cancel F-1 and J-1 visas and terminate records in SEVIS. That move led to protests both nationally and across Florida, where roughly 2,000 international students across 240 colleges were affected by sudden changes in their legal standing.
Students attending the UCF meeting were informed that, while 15 visas had initially been terminated, approximately half of those cases had since been reversed, and ICE was now stepping back from its earlier approach.
Officials warn that if a student’s SEVIS record or visa is terminated and not reinstated, they must depart the United States immediately, as no grace period will be granted.
As the immigration landscape continues to evolve, UCF remains focused on supporting its international students and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws.
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