14 student visas revoked at UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga

The number of students in Washington state who have had their visas revoked has climbed to 14, with the addition of two students from Gonzaga University in Spokane.

Update 5:40 p.m. 4/8/2025: Since the original version of this story published, the number of students who have had their visas revoked has jumped to 14 — nine from the University of Washington, three from Seattle University, and two from Gonzaga.

The University of Washington was the first to report that the Trump administration revoked the student visas of nine students — five current students and four recent graduates — all without prior notice to the students or university officials.

“No additional information or details were provided, but we have no indication these actions are due to activism or other protected free speech,” university spokesman Victor Balta wrote in a statement. “We are also not aware of any immigration officials coming to UW campuses related to this situation.”

The university learned the visas were canceled during recent checks of international student records in a federal database, which showed the revocations were due to an immigration status violation, the statement said.

"It is rare," said Kim Lovaas, director for International Student Services. "I can recall fewer than five F-1 visas being revoked in the last 10 years."

RELATED: International students spoke out against the war in Gaza. Now, some face deportation

The University of Washington is the latest to join a growing list of schools who have had students’ visas revoked. The New York Times reports that nationwide some 150 students have lost their legal status to be in the U.S.

On Tuesday afternoon, Seattle University announced that three recent graduates had their F-1 and J-1 visas revoked. A university spokesperson said they don't know why the visas were revoked. The law school said it is offering "confidential consultations" to non-citizen students with legal questions.

"As a Jesuit Catholic institution, Seattle University remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting our non-citizen students," the university said in a statement.

Tuesday evening, Gonzaga University reported that two of its students had their student visas revoked as well. In a statement, Gonzaga officials said they’ve taken action to push back on the Trump administration's immigration policy.

Like the University of Washington, Gonzaga said they were not notified by the U.S. Department of State and found out about the status of their students after checking international student records in a federal database, which students are not able to access.

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the specific cases at the UW but said in an e-mailed statement that "those who break the law, including students, may face visa refusal, visa revocation, and/or deportation." KUOW has asked the department about any charges filed against the students but has not yet received a response.

Federal immigration enforcement agents have also arrested students due to alleged pro-Palestinian activism, but none have been reported as of yet in Washington state.

Last spring, UW students set up an encampment on campus and called on the university to end financial ties with Israel. The UW Board of Regents voted down a measure last month that would have probed the university’s investments with Israel amid its war in Gaza.

“The proposed actions in the petition are impractical and even if the actions were feasible, they would not meaningfully alter the situation,” read a statement from Blaine Tamaki, Chair of the UW Board of Regents.

The university’s position prompted unrest with some students present during the vote.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. has revoked hundreds of visas as part of a crackdown on student activists who opposed Israel's war in Gaza, according to NPR.

"We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist that tears up our university campus. We've given you a visa and you decide to do that — we're going to take it away," Rubio said in a recent news conference.

Rubio has also ordered that visa applicants' social media be scrutinized for anti-Israel rhetoric, and more recently announced on social media that he was taking steps to revoke visas held by South Sudanese passport holders.

Balta said the UW's international student services office has reached out to the affected students and is urging them to get in contact as soon as possible to connect them with resources. The four recent graduates are currently participating in post-graduation training, he added.

“These resources include access to legal services available to students as part of their student fees, as well as mental health and academic support,” he said.

“If a member of the UW community learns of a UW student or scholar who has been affected by a similar visa action, they are encouraged to have them contact their campus’ international student services office immediately.”

Sami West contributed reporting.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Update 9:40 a.m. 4/8/2025: This story has been updated to clarify that four of the students are recent graduates participating in post-graduate training.