When visas disappear without warning, so does trust

In recent months, an alarming trend has occurred across U.S. universities: the abrupt and unexplained cancellation of visas held by international students, researchers, and even faculty members.

The latest example comes from the University of Houston, where Professor Hyeongseon Jeon, a South Korean national and assistant professor of mathematics, was forced to leave the university and return to Korea after his visa was unexpectedly revoked.

Jeon, who had been teaching a statistics course this semester, informed students via email that he could no longer continue his lectures due to the cancellation of his visa. He expressed deep regret in his message and noted that other scholars were experiencing similar issues.

The university later stated that the revocation stemmed from the expiration of a student visa previously issued when Jeon was pursuing his Ph.D. at Iowa State University, yet no further explanation was given.

Given that Jeon earned his doctorate in 2022 and joined the University of Houston as faculty in 2023, legal experts speculate that he was likely working under OPT (Optional Practical Training)—a temporary work permit granted to international graduates in the U.S., especially those in STEM fields. OPT is typically valid for up to three years, meaning Jeon may have still had time remaining.

So why was his visa suddenly revoked?

Immigration lawyers suggest the cancellation of Jeon’s I-20 form, the document certifying a student’s legal status, may have triggered the visa termination. However, without clear communication from immigration authorities, this remains only an assumption. And therein lies the greater issue: the lack of transparency.

Jeon’s case is not isolated. CNN recently reported that more than 600 international scholars across 90 universities have had their visas revoked in recent months. In nearly all of these cases, U.S. authorities have failed to provide adequate reasoning—or any reasoning at all.

This ambiguity is creating a climate of fear. International students and faculty are now second-guessing the stability of their legal status, wondering if they, too, might receive a sudden notice that upends their academic and professional futures.

At minimum, the U.S. government owes these scholars an explanation. The decision to cancel a visa affects not only individuals, but also the academic institutions that rely on their talent and expertise.

If the United States values its reputation as a destination for global education and research, it must offer clear, consistent, and fair immigration policies. That includes stating plainly why a visa is being revoked, especially when careers and lives are hanging in the balance.

By Mooyoung Lee [lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com]