Trump administration revokes student visas across California, including UC Merced
UC Merced is among the California colleges where international students have lost their visas amid a nationwide immigration crackdown by the Trump administration.
A UC Merced spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that federal authorities revoked the visas of at least four international students. Multiple media outlets have reported this week that President Donald Trump’s administration has canceled international student visas at California campuses, including UC Davis, UCLA, UC Berkeley and Stanford.
The visas of 40 students in the California State University system were revoked as of Wednesday, according to the CSU Chancellor’s Office.
Fresno State officials would not say how many of its international students have been affected, citing privacy.
“Last week, the federal government began terminating visas for international students without warning. This is a fluid situation on campuses around the country, including UC Merced,” Alyssa Johansen, a university spokesperson, said in an email. “The university is aware of a few students who have been impacted and the campus is supporting them in accordance with long-standing procedure for visa revocations. Our Office of International Affairs is working with these UC Merced students to navigate the process and encouraging them to seek legal counsel for further guidance.”
International students at Sacramento State have had their visas revoked, as well, though the university did not specify the number of its students affected, citing privacy. About 3% of students are international, according to recent university data.
“We understand that this news may cause distress and that it raises many questions for those impacted, as well as for their peers, colleagues, and mentors,” said Sacramento State President Luke Wood in a campus-wide email Monday night.
Twelve international students and recent graduates at UC Davis had their visas canceled, according to an April 5 news release. Chancellor Gary S. May said the federal government had not explained the reasons behind these terminations.
Federal immigration officers have not yet entered any California campus during Trump’s presidency. Roughly 14% of all international college students in the U.S study in California, according to data from the SEVIS Data Mapping Tool.
In his email statement, Wood encouraged students to reach out to the CSU’s free legal immigration services or International Programs & Global Engagement with questions or concerns.
He also recommended students and employees who are undocumented or with an immigrant status to urge caution when deciding to travel abroad.
This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 11:19 AM.
