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WORCESTER, MA – Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02) on Friday sent a strongly-worded letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem demanding answers after the visas of dozens of international students at colleges and universities in Massachusetts’s Second Congressional District were revoked without notice, explanation, or due process.

“I write to you with deep alarm and growing outrage over reports that the visas of dozens of international students at colleges and universities in Massachusetts’s Second Congressional District have been revoked—seemingly without notice, cause, or due process,” McGovern wrote in the letter.

The letter highlights that at least three universities in the district—the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Clark University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute—have reported checking the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) only to discover that some student visas had been revoked. This includes the visas of at least 13 students at UMass Amherst, 12 students at Clark University, and 4 students at WPI.

“These actions appear to be politically motivated and constitutionally suspect, raising serious concerns about the weaponization of our immigration system to intimidate and harass students, teachers, and institutions of higher education based on their political views,” McGovern wrote.

McGovern also emphasized that revoking the visas without warning or due process would have a serious long-term chilling effect on our ability as a nation to attract the best and brightest researchers and experts from around the world, noting that “[t]hese students contribute $413.5 million to my district’s economy alone. International students are integral to colleges and universities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and across the United States.”

In his letter, McGovern posed several questions to the Departments of State and Homeland Security, seeking clarity on the reasons for the visa revocations, the lack of notice provided to institutions, and the legal authority under which these actions were taken. He requested a response by Friday, April 18, 2025.

“It is unconstitutional, unconscionable, and unprecedented that the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security appear to be targeting and punishing students based on their political beliefs or national origin,” McGovern concluded.

The full text of the letter is available here: https://mcgovern.house.gov/uploadedfiles/student_visas_final_letter.pdf