International Community Update

Since April began, some current Duke graduate students and alumni on Optional Practical Training (OPT) have received emails from the U.S. State Department informing them that their F-1 visas have been revoked, and that Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been notified of the revocations. The emails did not cite reasons for the revocations, stating only that "additional information became available” after the visas were issued.

The students’ F-1 visa records in Homeland Security’s Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) were then terminated by the U.S. government. Duke was not involved in either the visa revocations or the subsequent terminations of the visa records, and was not directly notified about either of these actions. Duke Visa Services (DVS) is advising affected students about the consequences of these actions and providing resources to them. As a result of the termination of their visas, the students are not legally able to continue their studies at Duke or to work in the U.S. Arrangements are being made for the current students to allow program activities to continue from the students’ home country if necessary.

Duke Visa Services is reviewing the SEVIS system daily. DVS will notify any student whose status has changed, and we are available to consult with students on an individual basis. If you are contacted by the U.S. Department of State about your visa or SEVIS status, contact Duke Visa Services immediately.

Duke is committed to assisting our international community to the limit of the law. We are leveraging a wide range of campus resources, including the Immigration Student Legal Resource (Linked under ‘Additional Resources’), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Duke Reach, and Duke on Call (919-684-2444) to best support students. Dr. Kevin D’Arco, Senior Associate Dean for International Students, is available at kevin.darco@duke.edu for additional support. International students are encouraged to connect with their Duke Visa Services liaison as well, especially in regard to visa-specific questions. Duke students, faculty and staff are also encouraged to take advantage of resources outside of Duke, some of which are listed on this Immigration Student Resource.

Our international students, faculty, staff, and researchers are valued and essential members of the Duke community and contribute in innumerable ways to making Duke the world-class institution we know and love.

(This message was updated on April 10, 2025.)