The University of Pittsburgh confirmed Wednesday that the visas of one graduate student and two recent graduates have been revoked by the federal government, and their records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) have been terminated.

In a message to the university community, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Joseph J. McCarthy acknowledged the news has caused "anxiety and fear" among Pitt's international population. He emphasized that the well-being of these students and scholars is a "top priority" for the university.

The provost's message comes amid a backdrop of heightened federal immigration enforcement following a January 20 executive order from the White House emphasizing the "faithful execution" of immigration laws and the prioritization of enforcement against those deemed threats to national security or public safety.

McCarthy stated that the university's Office of International Services (OIS) is in regular contact with documented international students and scholars. He said that the OIS team has already reached out to the three impacted individuals, as well as their departments and schools, to offer support and resources.  

The provost also addressed concerns about immigration agencies potentially visiting the university's campuses for enforcement purposes. "At this time, we are not aware of any immigration agencies or authorities visiting our campus for enforcement purposes," McCarthy wrote. He added that specific instructions have been shared with university leaders on how to coordinate with university resources should such a visit occur.

The OIS website contains information on current regulations, travel considerations, and available resources for international students, faculty, and staff. McCarthy encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to contact the OIS directly.  

"As we take next steps together, I want to reiterate and reaffirm our support for members of Pitt’s international community," McCarthy said. He also thanked the university community for their support of one another.

The university did not provide specific details about the reasons for the visa revocations, citing privacy concerns. It is unclear if the revocations are directly linked to the January executive order, but the timing coincides with increased federal focus on immigration enforcement

The situation at the University of Pittsburgh mirrors similar occurrences at other higher education institutions across the country in recent weeks..