Number of Harvard affiliates with visas revoked is up to 12

Harvard’s International Office revealed on Thursday that visa terminations have now impacted 12 students and recent graduates, as the federal government’s crackdown on student visas continues to ripple through college campuses. 

The State Department has reportedly revoked the visas of hundreds of students, affecting those at area schools such as Emerson College, Berklee College of Music, Boston University, Northeastern, UMass, and Tufts. 

When the federal government revokes a student visa, the student can no longer legally study, work, or remain in the U.S. and can no longer legally re-enter the country. If a student leaves the U.S. with a revoked visa, they must apply for a new one before returning. 

The revocations are part of a nationwide effort led by the Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to terminate the legal status of international students who have allegedly engaged in criminal behavior while in the U.S., or in activities in support of U.S.-designated terrorist groups like Hamas.

According to the Inside Higher Ed tracker, over 140 colleges and universities have identified over 700 international students and recent graduates whose legal status had been changed by the State Department. 

Harvard did not name the students or alums whose visas the government revoked. The International Office says it checks students’ visa status daily through the Service and Exchange Visitor Information System. 

Like other universities, the State Department did not notify Harvard of the revocations; the school discovered them by checking SEVIS. 

“We are not aware of the details of the revocations or the reasons for them,” the department said. “But we understand these actions continue to take place at other institutions across the country.” 

Beth Treffeisen is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on local news, crime, and business in the New England region.