ALBUQUERQUE, NM– The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico is alarmed by the apparent revocation of student visas affecting international students at several of the state's universities. According to the Albuquerque Journal, following President Trump's January 20 executive order on visa restrictions, a number of students at the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, and New Mexico Tech have apparently had their immigration status terminated without clear justification or due process. These seemingly arbitrary actions are deeply concerning, as are the potential implications for the nearly 2,000 international students who are integral members of New Mexico's academic communities.
The following can be attributed to Rebecca Sheff, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of New Mexico.
“Every person in this country deserves due process and protection from arbitrary, punitive actions by the federal government. The sudden and unexplained apparent revocation of visas for students at universities across New Mexico demonstrates a deeply troubling escalation of government overreach. To our knowledge, these students have been given no justification for the termination of their immigration status, leaving their education in limbo and their futures in jeopardy.
“The complete lack of transparency surrounding these decisions is profoundly concerning. International students enrich our state’s academic communities immeasurably, bringing diverse perspectives and significant contributions to New Mexico's educational and economic landscape. The ACLU of New Mexico is monitoring this situation and exploring all legal avenues to defend the rights of the affected students."
