Several students at the University of Washington and Seattle University are facing uncertainty after their visas were unexpectedly revoked by federal immigration authorities—without prior notice to the students or their universities.
According to university officials, five current UW students and four recent graduates in post-completion training had their student visas canceled. Seattle University later confirmed that three of its graduate students were also affected. The affected visas were primarily F-1 and J-1 types, which are commonly issued to international students and exchange visitors.
University administrators said the cancellations appeared in the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), citing immigration status violations. However, no specific details have been provided, and the institutions report receiving no prior communication from federal agencies.
The University of Washington emphasized that there is no indication the visa actions were related to student activism or protected speech. Officials also stated there has been no presence of immigration enforcement on campus in connection to these developments.
“We are deeply concerned about the well-being of these students and graduates and are working to support them,” UW said in a statement, reaffirming its commitment to international students as vital contributors to the university community and beyond.
UW’s International Student Services has begun contacting affected individuals and is offering legal, mental health, and academic support. The department has also advised students to be cautious about international travel, noting potential delays or complications upon re-entry.
With no federal requirement to notify institutions directly, UW said it has been manually checking SEVIS records daily to monitor visa status changes.
Governor Bob Ferguson acknowledged the situation, noting that the state is monitoring developments and gathering more information following a scheduled meeting with UW President Ana Mari Cauce.
While no students have been physically removed from campus, UW confirmed it has no role in such enforcement actions. The university also cited federal privacy laws in declining to share individual student details.
The sudden visa cancellations come amid heightened concerns around immigration enforcement and student protections in Washington state, where recent campus demonstrations have called for stronger safeguards for international and undocumented students.
