Student visa cancellation over minor traffic ticket sparks deportation risk
A Korean graduate in Georgia is facing imminent deportation after U.S. immigration officials abruptly canceled her visa over a four-year-old speeding ticket. The move is part of a wider federal crackdown on student visa holders with even minor legal records, drawing backlash from affected students and schools.
Visa canceled without notice during OPT
Kim, 27, completed her studies at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and was employed through the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program when her student visa cancellation was processed in the federal SEVIS immigration system on April 4.
The cancellation came without prior notice to Kim or the university. SCAD confirmed two student visas were revoked that day and said it is now offering direct assistance through its international student office.
Nationwide sweep targets minor offenses
The visa action was not isolated. More than 50 universities, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, and Stanford, reported similar cancellations. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly reviewed police and court records—revoking visas for minor infractions without hearings or explanations.
By April 8, 12 international students had been detained by ICE, according to the Washington Post.
Kim’s traffic violation occurred in 2019, when she was cited for speeding and driving without a license. She appeared in court and paid the fine.
“I had six months left — now they’re ordering deportation”
“I was already planning to leave the U.S. in a few months,” Kim said. “Now they want me deported over an old traffic ticket. It’s hard to believe this is happening.”
She believes the visa cancellation was deliberately timed late on a Friday, preventing a quick response.
Kim, a STEM graduate, had been working legally in the U.S. for 30 months, out of a possible 36-month extension under the STEM OPT program.
Korean employer unprepared, urges legal action
Kim’s Korean employer, which frequently hires OPT workers, said this was the first case of a mid-program visa cancellation. The company advised him to retain a private immigration attorney or voluntarily depart to avoid detention.
“This kind of cancellation simply doesn’t happen,” said a representative from ICN Group, a global job consulting firm. “Unless there’s a prior visa issue or serious crime, OPT holders aren’t removed like this. Canceling approved work authorization without warning is unprecedented.”
Daily $998 fines expand Trump’s immigration crackdown
In a separate measure, the Trump administration announced it will impose $998 daily fines on undocumented immigrants who ignore deportation orders. According to Reuters, the penalty can reach $1 million, and asset seizures are now authorized for nonpayment.
An estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants could be subject to the new fines, which aim to force voluntary departure through escalating financial pressure.
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BY CHAEWON JANG
AND SUNGMIN BANG
