The student self-deported after the F-1 student visa was revoked.
In a routine review of visa records conducted by Temple University’s Office of Global Engagement, the office found that the Secretary of State had revoked the student visa for an unnamed Temple Student for unknown reasons.
President John Fry issued a statement to the Temple University community on Wednesday, saying, “I recognize that news like this is deeply alarming. This is true for all Temple students, faculty and staff but it is especially true for international members of our community. Please know our international students, faculty and staff are valued members of our community, and we are committed to doing all we lawfully can to assist in circumstances like this.”
The student’s identity was not shared for privacy reasons. More than 300 visas have been revoked, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The visas have been revoked for “taking activities that are counter to national interest and foreign policy.” According to Rubio, most of the visas were revoked relating to pro-Palestine protests or criminal activity.
The student was unaware the visa had been revoked until Temple’s Office of Global engagement initiated contact following the routine check. The student received an email from the Department of State saying the visa had been revoked, and that the student should return home.
The student opted to return home after learning of the visa revocation.
President Fry said the university has helped provide legal counsel to the student and has spoken with officials from the student’s home country.
“I recognize that news like this is deeply alarming. This is true for all Temple students, faculty and staff, but it is especially true for international members of our community. Please know our international students, faculty and staff are valued members of our community, and we are committed to doing all we lawfully can to assist in circumstances like this,” Fry wrote in his statement.
Secretary Rubio said at a news conference, “We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree – not to become a social activist that tears up our university campuses.”
Fry assured the Temple community that “no other Temple student’s records have been adjusted, and we are regularly reviewing student visa records to monitor for status changes.”
The university has had no reports of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection officers being present on campus.
