Jayson Ma, a Carnegie Mellon University student with only one semester left in his engineering programme, was recently notified that his US student visa had been revoked without any clear explanation. His case is part of a wider pattern impacting international students across the United States.
Seven international students and recent alumni from Carnegie Mellon have had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records terminated, throwing their legal standing into question. Among them is Ma, originally from China, who has resided in the US since 2016.
“I only have a semester left,” said Ma, who is enrolled in an electrical and computer engineering degree. “There’s only three weeks left for the semester. We have finals coming up. So, with everything going on, it’s kind of hard to process.”
According to Ma, he was first made aware of the visa revocation through a call from his designated school official. However, no formal reason has been shared by US authorities, and no official notice has been issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Ma’s lawyer, Joseph Murphy, suspects the situation might be related to a 2023 incident involving driving under the influence. Although, he added, that case was dismissed and cleared from Ma’s record after he completed Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) programme.
“This is someone who chose to stay and finish his degree despite his mother battling terminal cancer back in China,” Murphy stated. “It’s a significant emotional and financial investment to be told this close to the finish line that it may not matter.”
Despite the visa revocation, Carnegie Mellon University has permitted Ma to continue attending classes. He noted that his visa was initially valid until spring 2026, and he expected to graduate by December.
“Am I intentionally breaking the law by staying to finish school, or do I have to leave and sacrifice everything I’ve worked for?” Ma asked.
Now living under considerable uncertainty, Ma keeps his passport and key documents with him at all times in case he is suddenly required to leave the country.
Other institutions in Pennsylvania are reporting similar issues. The University of Pittsburgh has confirmed that three international students — one still enrolled and two who recently graduated — have also had their visas cancelled. Meanwhile, Penn State admitted that it is aware of cases among its students, although it declined to specify how many.
Both universities say they are providing legal assistance and mental health support. They are also advising affected students to carry their IDs and immigration paperwork at all times.
“We are in regular contact with international scholars, providing updated information and travel guidance,” a spokesperson for the University of Pittsburgh stated.
Penn State said it is supporting impacted students through counselling and may offer online learning options through its World Campus programme.
Immigration lawyers say that visa cancellations like these are frequently triggered by relatively minor or legally resolved issues. The lack of detailed reasoning behind the revocations has led to confusion among students and university officials alike.
As Ma tries to continue with his studies under these unpredictable circumstances, his attorney says they are still waiting for a formal response from immigration authorities. “This could be a red herring,” Murphy said. “We just don’t know yet.”
