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A doctoral candidate in artificial intelligence (AI) in California is facing potential immigration issues after their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record, which serves as digital verification of their valid student visa, was abruptly terminated.
AI Doctoral Student’s Visa at Risk After SEVIS Termination
Speaking to TechCrunch under condition of anonymity due to concerns about potential repercussions, the student reported receiving notification from their university’s international student center regarding the SEVIS termination. The notice indicated they were flagged during a criminal background check. The student, who has been studying in the United States for nearly ten years since beginning their undergraduate education, maintains they possess no criminal history.
Possible Cause Linked to Past Police Interaction
“The most plausible reason may be an encounter with law enforcement from several years ago, possibly before I commenced my graduate studies,” the student speculated. Focused on research within the AI sector, the student had intended to pursue this work following graduation.
Broader Crackdown on International Student Visas
In recent months, numerous international students in the U.S. have encountered challenges to their visa statuses. Over a thousand students have been impacted by increased scrutiny from the State Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This stricter approach is reportedly part of a broader enforcement initiative. Compounding the issue, many academic institutions have not received direct alerts from federal agencies, leaving affected students with minimal advance notice or options for appeal.
Expert Warns of Damage to Talent Pipeline
Yisong Yue, a professor of machine learning at Caltech, conveyed to TechCrunch his apprehension that the government’s stringent stance on student visas is “detrimental to the talent pipeline.”
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Yue elaborated, “The collective impact is diminishing the United States’ attractiveness as a destination for highly skilled researchers. Given the specialized nature of research, the removal of a doctoral student from a project can cause delays spanning months or even years. Beyond those directly affected, many students holding visas are experiencing heightened anxiety.”
Visa Revocations Across Diverse Institutions
Reports indicate that the visa crackdown has extended across a range of educational institutions. Students at Ivy League universities, large public colleges, and smaller liberal arts colleges have all experienced visa suspensions. While some students have been accused by the government of supporting militant groups or engaging in activities deemed “antisemitic,” others have been targeted for minor legal infringements such as traffic violations, including speeding tickets.
Administrative Errors and AI Screening Concerns
Some visa revocations appear to stem from administrative errors. One instance involves Suguru Onda, a computer science doctoral candidate at Brigham Young University, whose initially revoked student visa was reinstated without official explanation shortly after his immigration lawyer initiated legal action. Adam Crayk, the attorney, suggested that the government’s utilization of AI for visa holder screening, lacking human oversight, is contributing to inaccuracies.
Legal Challenges and Temporary Relief
A judge in Georgia recently issued a temporary restraining order pertaining to approximately 100 international students whose visas were revoked. This order mandates the government to reinstate the affected students’ legal status. However, this ruling offers protection to only a portion of the students facing potential deportation and remains subject to future legal challenges.
International Students’ Contribution to AI Innovation
Yue emphasized the significant contributions of international students to recent technological advancements in AI. He highlighted Ashish Vaswani, who immigrated to the U.S. to pursue computer science studies in the early 2000s, as a co-creator of the transformer architecture – a foundational AI model underpinning prominent chatbots like ChatGPT. Wojciech Zaremba, a co-founder of OpenAI, also obtained his AI doctorate from NYU on a student visa.
Economic Impact of International Students in the U.S.
A recent analysis by NAFSA, a non-profit association focused on international education, revealed that international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 academic year. Their presence also supported over 378,000 jobs across the nation.
Top Researchers Reconsidering U.S. Destination
Yue stated he has engaged in “multiple discussions” with leading AI researchers who are expressing concerns about remaining in the United States.
“This includes professors at esteemed universities and researchers employed at companies like OpenAI and Google,” he added. “The accumulated consequences of the government’s policies are positioning the U.S. as a less desirable location for numerous talented researchers.”