The recent termination of visas for two NC State students and now three Duke students, forcing them to leave the U.S. without any notice as to why their visas are being abruptly revoked, is a deeply troubling development that poses significant threats to North Carolina’s educational integrity and diversity, as well as the constitutional rights of international students.
The significant impact of international students on our academic institutions is well documented; they enrich learning environments with diverse perspectives and make substantial contributions to the economy. Not only do these visa revocations disrupt the lives of the affected students but also deter future international scholars from choosing North Carolina as their academic destination. This will further undermine the reputation of our universities as leaders in research, innovation, and campus diversity, all of which are currently in jeopardy.
These incidents are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to cruelly target student visa holders, doing so with flagrant disregard for the Constitution and with the goal of creating a climate of fear and instability for all our immigrant communities.
Meanwhile, the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) is considering a number of anti-immigrant bills that would make our state even more hostile towards our immigrant neighbors and harm our economy and educational system. Bills like SB153, which has already passed in the state Senate, would prevent UNC system schools from adopting policies to protect immigrant students on campus, and significantly expand ICE enforcement in our state, including on college campuses. These policies don’t just harm those directly targeted—they make our campuses and communities unsafe for everyone.
We urge policymakers and educational institutions to take immediate steps to protect international students, reject harmful legislation, and uphold the values of equity and inclusion that are fundamental to our society.