The US Department of Justice has reversed its decision to revoke the visas of nearly two dozen international students enrolled in Utah colleges and universities. The action comes after the federal government’s controversial revocation of student visas affected at least 50 students across the state. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the reversal offers significant relief for students who had feared deportation after the US Department of Homeland Security sent out notices of visa cancellations in recent weeks.
The decision to reinstate the visas follows a surprise announcement during a court hearing on Friday, where a DOJ attorney revealed that immigration officials were developing a new system to handle such cases. Until that system is finalized, the attorney confirmed, no additional visa revocations would be carried out. The reversal is part of a broader nationwide shift after President Donald Trump’s administration had initially moved to cancel more than 1,500 student visas.
University of Utah sees highest impact
The University of Utah, the state’s oldest and largest university, was among the hardest hit by the visa revocations. As reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, at least 22 international students at the University of Utah saw their visas revoked during the federal action. However, by Friday, 12 of these students had their visa statuses reinstated. A spokesperson for the university confirmed the reinstatement but declined to share further details, saying that university staff were still contacting affected students.
Southern Utah University (SUU) and Utah Tech University also reported significant impacts. Both institutions had 10 students affected by the revocations. At SUU, three students had their visa statuses restored as of Friday. The university’s spokesperson emphasized that they were “actively monitoring” the situation and in “continuous communication” with their international students to ensure they received proper support, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune.
Salt Lake Community College student leaves US
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) was among the institutions affected by the visa revocation action, with three international students impacted. One of those students chose to leave the US rather than fight for reinstatement. As quoted by the Salt Lake Tribune, a SLCC spokesperson confirmed that the student departed the country a week before the reversal was announced. However, two other SLCC students filed for visa reinstatement and planned to complete their semester in Utah.
Weber State University in Ogden was also affected, with five international students facing visa cancellations. Three of these students were notified on Friday that their visa status had been reinstated. The situation at Westminster University, a private university in Salt Lake City, was less severe, with no visa cancellations among its 35 international students, according to a university spokesperson.
Widespread relief for international students
The reversal has been welcomed by both students and university officials across Utah. Many students had feared for their future in the US and were uncertain about how to proceed. Universities across the state, including the University of Utah and SUU, are now focusing on communicating with students and ensuring they have the resources to stay informed and supported during this period of uncertainty, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune.
This development marks a significant shift from the harsh visa cancellation measures previously announced by the Trump administration, offering a temporary reprieve for students whose education and futures had been thrown into turmoil.