Six current Gannon students visas revoked, little justification given

ERIE, Pa. (WJET) — Six of Gannon University’s current international students as well as several more graduates with work permits have had their visas revoked by the United States government.

And what’s most alarming to officials is what they say is a lack of justification.

Local officials said they’re in uncharted territory right now with the termination of these visas not stating a clear reason.

According to Gannon University, at least six international students and several more living in erie on approved post-graduate work permits have had their visas terminated, and their records removed from the federal student exchange system.

“We’re all trying to figure out what to do right now and what this looks like because it is very confusing,” said Alexandria Iwanenko, an immigration law attorney for Amicangelo & Theisen.

The news has sent shockwaves across college campuses, and according to local immigration attorneys, striking fear into international students hoping to complete their education here.

All international students have a record with SEVIS, or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record with the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“What we started seeing as of last Thursday is universities going into the SEVIS record and seeing terminations. They just happened to check. There was no prior notification that those terminations had occurred,” Iwanenko said.

Tracking SEVIS records historically isn’t something universities have had to do, as they weren’t revoked mid-semester unless they were in jail, in rehab, or in a position where they were unable to go to school.

But for these students, the only plausible explanation is a potential pending charge which could be for something as minor as a traffic violation.

“What we’re seeing with immigration right now is your benefit is being terminated, your visa is being terminated simply because you have a charge. That charge might not even stick,” Iwanenko continued.

Universities are taking different approaches. Some are telling students to continue going to class, others are saying to leave and apply for your visa for next semester.

But some students have become so afraid of the unknown that they’re leaving voluntarily.

“I do think part of the motive here is to scare people into leaving because that’s the goal,” Iwanenko went on to say.

A class action case has already been filed relating to students this has happened with in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Gannon University said they’ll continue to support their international students.

Here’s the full letter from Gannon President Dr. Walter Iwanenko:

Dear Gannon community,  

Together, we are living through a series of rapidly evolving situations, with the latest development being the revocation of visas for six of our current international students and several graduates with Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduate work permits.  

It will not bring comfort to our international students or our larger Gannon family to learn this visa situation is happening at universities and colleges across Pennsylvania and the nation. Gannon is not being singled out. However, because more than 20 percent of our student population is international, we will likely see more cases of this than at other nearby schools. 

Gannon prides itself on being a global university and a gateway for individuals from across the planet to enrich their lives and create broad new futures for themselves and their families.  

This will not change.  

We are here to support our international students and our entire Gannon family.  

To that end, we want to remind our students that the Office of Global Support and Student Engagement provides a range of services and should be your first contact should you receive any notification from the government. The office is in Beyer 202 and the phone number is (814) 871-7133.  

This office staff has been working with the affected students to coordinate services and navigate their individual situations.  

Also, our academic deans are prepared to assist them to ensure each student’s education can continue should that come into question. 

We recognize how stressful this moment can be and are reminding you that counseling services are available through the Gannon University Counseling Center. To reach the counseling center, send an email to counseling@gannon.edu. Learn more at https://www.gannon.edu/student-life/health-and-counseling/counseling-services/  

As we have communicated before, we are strongly encouraging all international students of the following:  

• Carefully consider any plans to travel internationally, whether for the upcoming Easter break, or for summer. Given the current global uncertainties, including changing travel restrictions, visa processing delays, and potential disruptions at borders, leaving the U.S. right now could carry unexpected risks.
• If you’re thinking about traveling, please make sure you still have a valid (unexpired) visa, carry your documents with you (I-20 with valid travel signature, visa, passport, copy of your class schedule – all hardcopy, not on your phone), and please keep up to date on the U.S. news. At the border, Customs and Border Protection officers have expansive powers to search and ask you questions, so it is also suggested by some to scrub or remove social media and lock your phone when crossing the border.
• As you look toward summer, consider staying at Gannon. Any student interested in staying should complete a Summer Housing Application in the student portal. We are prepared to handle more students than usual this summer.

For faculty and staff, if you are contacted in person or see state or federal law enforcement on campus, we want you to contact Gannon Police & Safety at (814) 871-7690. The officers will then notify the appropriate university administrators to respond.  

We realize all this can be unsettling. We encourage those in need to reach out.  

Meanwhile, we are actively engaged with our local, state, and federal legislators to better understand this issue. We are also assessing services to see what else we need to do as a university to respond to this moment.  

In Peace, 

Dr. Walter Iwanenko

President, Gannon University