With more than 250 student visas revoked, international scholars worry as the government expands reasons for deportation

CNN - Apr 9th, 2025

Kseniia Petrova, a Russian researcher at Harvard, was detained after failing to declare frog embryos upon re-entering the US from France. Her visa was revoked, and she now faces deportation, potentially leading to arrest in Russia due to her opposition to its invasion of Ukraine. This incident highlights a broader trend of increasing visa revocations, with over 250 students and researchers affected this year. The State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, has intensified efforts, citing minor offenses or providing no reason at all for the revocations.

The crackdown on foreign nationals associated with prestigious universities is part of the Trump administration's broader immigration policies. Critics argue that this approach causes chaos and fear, deterring students from seeking legal counsel. The lack of transparency and due process raises concerns about the implications for international students and scholars, with many fearing swift deportation. The uncertainty surrounding visa statuses is causing anxiety within the international academic community, as the threat of financial penalties and permanent removal looms over those affected.

Trump Administration Immigration Ice Marco Rubio Department Of Homeland Security Visa Revocation Kseniia Petrova Harvard Medical School International Students

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RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed and generally accurate account of the issues surrounding visa revocations and their impact on international students. It presents multiple perspectives and highlights the personal stories of those affected, which adds depth and human interest to the narrative. The use of credible sources and clear language enhances the story's reliability and readability. However, the article could benefit from a more balanced presentation of government perspectives and a deeper exploration of the broader policy implications. Overall, the story is timely and relevant, addressing a topic of significant public interest with potential to influence ongoing debates about immigration policy.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that are generally supported by cited sources, such as the number of visas revoked and the legal actions taken by individuals like Xiaotian Liu. However, some aspects require further verification, such as the exact reasons for each visa revocation and the specific legal basis for immediate deportations without hearings. The story accurately reports on the case of Kseniia Petrova, including the details of her visa revocation and the statements from her attorney. However, the lack of direct responses from the Department of Homeland Security on certain claims leaves some gaps in verification.

Balance

The story attempts to present multiple perspectives, including those of immigration attorneys, affected individuals, and government officials. However, it leans towards highlighting the negative impacts of visa revocations on students and universities. There is a notable absence of detailed government perspectives or justifications for the actions taken, which creates an imbalance in the narrative. The inclusion of statements from immigration attorneys and affected students provides some balance, but the lack of a strong government viewpoint limits the story's overall balance.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the complex topic of visa revocations. The language is accessible, and the tone remains neutral, focusing on factual reporting rather than emotional appeals. However, the inclusion of multiple cases and legal terminology may require careful reading to fully understand the implications. The clarity could be enhanced by providing additional context or explanations for some of the legal processes mentioned.

Source quality

The story cites credible sources, including statements from attorneys, university officials, and government reports. It references well-known news organizations like CNN and ABC News, which adds to the reliability of the information presented. However, the story could benefit from more direct quotes or statements from government officials to strengthen the source quality. The reliance on secondary sources for some claims, such as the number of visas revoked, slightly diminishes the overall source quality.

Transparency

The story provides a reasonable level of transparency by disclosing its sources and the basis for its claims. It mentions the lack of response from the Department of Homeland Security, which is an important transparency note. However, it could improve by offering more detailed explanations of the methodology used to gather certain data, such as the number of visa revocations. The story's transparency is somewhat hindered by the absence of direct quotes from government officials, which could provide clearer context for the actions described.