Brown University reports revocation of several student visas

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Brown University announced Thursday that one currently enrolled student and several recent Brown graduates in the U.S. for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extension opportunities have had their visas revoked in the past week.

A statement from the Brown University Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) stated that the university has received “no official notification or communication from the relevant federal agencies.”

The statement urged international students with visa status concerns to access the OISSS Gateway Portal.

Concerned students can also set up an appointment with OISSS here.

The statement read in part:

As President Paxson and Provost Doyle have noted before, it is our utmost priority to communicate directly and promptly with individuals affected by federal actions to offer relevant support and guidance. We will continue to prioritize direct engagement with impacted individuals should we see similar federal actions in the future.

Brown said Thursday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights expanded a Title VI investigation into the university’s response to May, 2024 graduation ceremony protests.