Newark, DE – A wave of concern and solidarity swept through the University of Delaware (UD) campus on Wednesday, April 16, as students and alumni staged a walkout and protest in response to the recent revocation of visas belonging to eight international students at the institution. The demonstration, held at noon in front of the iconic Old College Hall, located at the intersection of E. Main Street and S. College Avenue, drew a diverse crowd of current undergraduates, graduate students, and former UD attendees.
The news, which broke on April 10, 2025, revealed that the federal government had revoked the visas of eight international students enrolled at the Newark-based university. This action places UD alongside a growing number of universities nationwide, including Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State University, Rutgers University, and Rowan University, where international students have faced similar visa cancellations. The University of Delaware currently hosts several thousand international students who contribute significantly to the academic and cultural vibrancy of the campus community.
The protest served as a platform for expressing outrage and demanding greater transparency and due process in immigration enforcement. Joan French, a University of Delaware alumna who participated in the demonstration, voiced the urgency of the situation, stating, "We have to step up. We have to stop what is going on. Pretty soon, you or I will be deported."
Emma Abrams, a student organizer, articulated the dual purpose of the protest: "And we’re also here to demonstrate to the University of Delaware administration that their response to these visa revocations has been lacking, and we want to see more from them." Protesters conveyed their anger over what they perceive as a disregard for due process in the apprehension and potential deportation of international students across the country.
University officials have acknowledged the visa revocations but stated that the federal government has not provided specific reasons for these actions. In response to inquiries from NBC10, the State Department has yet to issue a comment.
In an effort to address the concerns and provide support, the University of Delaware has launched a dedicated website offering information regarding the legal limitations and permissions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on campus. Furthermore, the university has committed to providing affected international students with access to immigration lawyers who can offer legal assistance to help them navigate these challenging circumstances and potentially remain in their academic programs.
A university spokesperson conveyed the institution's commitment in a statement to NBC10: "The University of Delaware takes very seriously all matters pertaining to the wellbeing and safety of our international students and scholars, as we greatly value their contributions to and engagement in our UD community. The University will continue to support them while remaining in compliance with all applicable laws. We are keeping our University community informed of related developments and actions we are taking, and providing them with necessary support resources, including access to various University services and outside immigration legal counsel."
Mohammad Abdul Muqtedar Khan, an Indian American scholar and professor of international relations at the University of Delaware, shared his perspective with NBC10, highlighting the potential long-term negative consequences of these actions against legal foreign students. "So there is a small segment, I think, of MAGA supporters who are enjoying the meanspirited aspect of it," Professor Khan noted. "But eventually, this is going to hurt America. So I think that we are creating a country which more and more people are going to profoundly dislike. And I think that is not going to make America great or wealthy."
The situation at the University of Delaware reflects a broader national trend of increased scrutiny and revocation of international student visas. Across the United States, numerous universities have reported similar incidents, leaving many international students in a state of uncertainty and fear regarding their legal status and academic futures. Reports indicate that over 1,000 international students across more than 240 institutions have had their visas revoked since late March 2025, often without prior notification or clear explanation from federal authorities.
The reasons behind these revocations remain largely unclear, with universities stating they often only discover the changes in students' status through updates to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. While visa revocations can occur for various reasons, including immigration status violations or criminal activity, some universities and legal advocates express concern that students may be targeted for minor infractions, past incidents, or even their involvement in protest activities, raising concerns about potential violations of due process and freedom of speech.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other legal organizations have filed lawsuits challenging these visa revocations, arguing that the government is not providing adequate due process and that the actions may be based on discriminatory or unconstitutional grounds. These legal challenges seek to reinstate the legal status of affected students and prevent their deportation.
The recent surge in visa revocations has sparked widespread concern within the academic community. University leaders worry about the potential damage to the United States' reputation as a welcoming destination for international students, who contribute significantly to research, innovation, and the overall intellectual environment of American universities. Furthermore, the abrupt loss of legal status can have severe consequences for the affected students, disrupting their studies, research, and personal lives, and placing them at risk of detention and deportation.
In response to these developments, many universities are stepping up efforts to support their international student populations. These efforts include providing legal resources, liaising with federal authorities to seek clarification and advocate for their students, and offering academic and emotional support services. The University of Delaware's creation of an informational website and provision of legal counsel are examples of such support measures.
The situation remains fluid, and the University of Delaware community, along with institutions across the nation, awaits further clarification from federal authorities regarding the reasons behind the visa revocations and the broader implications for international students in the United States. The protest at the University of Delaware underscores the growing anxiety and the collective call for a more just and transparent approach to international student immigration matters.
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