SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – It’s a move that has been happening across the country, from Ivy League universities to public institutions. Now, it’s impacting students right here in Springfield.
Six international students at Missouri State University had their visas revoked.
Their Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records and F-1 student statuses were terminated by the Department of Homeland Security without warning.
“I think that (MSU) should stand for their students, even if it’s not in the policy,” said former student Jasmine Kaasa.
MSU has around 1,600 international students. While that only makes up about 9% of the student body, the students Ozarks First spoke to say they support their international classmates.
“They are safe here and all the students love them, even though some administrations don’t,” Kaasa said.
Three of them are current students, and the other three are postgraduates.
“I would like to see the school do anything that can help students and especially the students that are affected by this,” said freshman Reya Vaughan.
Kaasa says foreign exchange students shouldn’t feel discouraged from trying to pursue an education in the U.S.
“Really upset,” Kaasa said. “Because I feel like they deserve the right, more or just as much as we do here in America.”
Vaughan says these sudden visa terminations are frightening.
“That might just not be where they stop,” Vaughan said. “And I find that very scary, especially because I am a group that might get targeted by that.”
In a statement, Brad Bodenhausen, the Vice President for community and global partnerships, didn’t give a reason why these specific students had their statuses terminated, but did say:
“Neither the university nor the students were notified directly of this status change.
Upon becoming aware of the action, MSU notified the impacted students.
We are providing academic support to these students and encouraging them to seek legal counsel.”Brad Bodenhausen, Vice President for Community and Global Partnerships at Missouri State University