Korean professor visa cancellation sparks backlash on social media
A Korean professor at the University of Houston was forced to abruptly end his teaching duties and return to Korea after his U.S. visa was unexpectedly canceled. The incident has triggered growing backlash on platforms like Reddit, amid a broader surge in student visa cancellations under the Donald Trump administration’s strict immigration policies.
Professor notifies students of sudden departure
FOX 26 and the Houston Chronicle reported on April 15 that Jeon Hyeong-Seon, an assistant professor in the University of Houston’s mathematics department, was returning to Korea after his visa was abruptly canceled.
Jeon informed his students via email on April 13, writing, “Due to my visa cancellation, I must return to Korea to resolve my status. I’m sorry I can’t continue the class.” He had been teaching Statistics for Sciences during the spring 2025 semester.
University confirms visa tied to past student status
Following media coverage, the University of Houston issued a brief explanation on April 15, stating that Jeon’s visa was canceled because it had originally been issued by the university where he completed his Ph.D. program. The university did not disclose further details or the exact reason for the cancellation.
Jeon had active academic career in the U.S.
Jeon received his Ph.D. in statistics from Iowa State University in 2022, later working as a postdoctoral researcher at Ohio State University. He joined the University of Houston faculty in August 2024.
Given his academic background, immigration attorneys suggest Jeon was likely working under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for international graduates. Students in STEM fields, like Jeon, are eligible for a three-year OPT extension. If he began OPT in 2022, he would still have time remaining, making the sudden visa cancellation unusual.
Experts point to I-20 cancellation as possible cause
Immigration law experts believe the root of the visa issue may lie in the cancellation of Jeon’s I-20, a key document issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that verifies a student’s eligibility to remain in the U.S. for academic purposes.
Chun Kwan-Woo, an immigration attorney, stated that the government may terminate an I-20 if the holder violates its terms. “Even minor offenses, if deemed a threat to public safety, can trigger cancellation,” he said.
Student visa cancellations rising under Trump administration
According to Inside Higher Ed on April 16, nearly 1,200 student visas have been canceled or altered since the start of the Trump administration’s second term, affecting students at about 180 universities.
On March 27, Secretary of State Mark Rubio confirmed that visas for over 300 students involved in campus protests last year had been revoked.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
