An international student at the University of Oregon had their visa terminated after they were criminally charged, a school spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.
The student hasn’t been publicly identified, and it’s not clear when or where they were charged with unspecified crimes.
The Department of Homeland Security didn’t notify the university of the visa revocation, but the school spokesperson said the university “proactively discovered” the situation.
“The university was not informed in advance and has not been given details about the reason for this action,” the spokesperson, Eric Howald, said in a statement. “We recognize that this situation may raise questions and concerns in our community.”
Howald said the university did not bring the student “to the attention of federal authorities” and wasn’t involved in the decision regarding their visa status.
He declined to identify the student, citing privacy laws.
The F-1 visa is a non-immigration document that allows foreign students to reside in the country full-time while attending an academic institution. While the number fluctuates, the U.S. State Department typically issues hundreds of thousands of student visas each year.
Once revoked, a F-1 holder has 15 days to leave the country unless another legal pathway becomes available.
Several prominent pro-Palestinian student activists were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in recent days, raising fears of First Amendment violations.
In this case, it’s not known if political activism was a factor.
A social media flyer posted Wednesday by the University of Oregon chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America said the student has “fears of returning to their country of origin” and is seeking legal aid.
A Eugene Police Department spokesperson said she determined the criminal case did not occur locally.
The Eugene City Council banned its police force from enforcing federal immigration law in 2017.
A State Department spokesperson said the agency doesn’t usually comment on specific cases.
“The United States has zero tolerance for non-citizens who violate U.S. laws,” the spokesperson said. “Those who break the law, including students, may face visa refusal, visa revocation, and/or deportation.”
—Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane.
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