On Wednesday, April 16, the college announced that a current international student at Middlebury had their Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records revoked by the U.S. government, placing their legal status in question and leaving them at risk of deportation. Three alumni from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey faced the same revocation in recent days, according to the email sent to the community titled “Immigration Issues at Middlebury.”
The college declined to share further details about these specific individuals, citing privacy concerns, but stated that Middlebury’s office of International Student Scholar Services (ISSS) and Student Affairs are working with the affected community members to provide legal guidance and other support.
“We have met with our student and contacted our alumni and have been working to support them since we learned of this news… We are doing everything we can to guide and support the student and their family during this difficult time,” the email reads.
In response to growing uncertainty around federal immigration policy and enforcement, Middlebury had previously hosted a virtual Q&A session on Monday afternoon with immigration attorney Dan Berger.
Organized by the Office of Student Affairs in coordination with the college’s Office of General Counsel, the event aimed to address questions regarding international visa processing and the implications of recent federal policy decisions. Guided by Vice President for Student Affairs Smita Ruzicka, the conversation focused on new immigration policies, travel considerations, enforcement concerns and what international students should expect in the months ahead. The meeting was not recorded or transcribed by the college due to the sensitive nature of the discussion, Ruzicka stated.
Featured speaker Dan Berger, partner at immigration law firm Green and Spiegel LLP and a nationally recognized expert on academic and medical immigration, shared his general perspective but clarified he was not there to provide legal advice. Berger opened the discussion with a sobering message.
“This is more uncertain than anything I’ve seen in 25 years of immigration practice,” he said. “Just three weeks ago, we were thinking about a potential travel ban. Now, we’re seeing student visa terminations.”
Berger highlighted the increasing use of artificial intelligence by federal agencies to flag and revoke visas, often without human oversight or prior warning. Like the affected Middlebury community members this week, many students are finding their SEVIS records abruptly terminated. Termination of a SEVIS record means that the individual loses their student status and they must immediately leave the country or apply to have their SEVIS record reinstated. If their status is not reinstated, they could be deported.
“The scary part is how arbitrary this all feels,” Berger said. “Sometimes it’s about a name match. Sometimes it’s based on a social media post. We don’t always know.”
The bulk of Berger’s talk revolved around travel — a pressing concern for students navigating study abroad programs, job opportunities or visits home. While most international students are still traveling without issues, Berger cautioned against assuming smooth re-entry to the U.S.
“It’s not that everyone is being stopped,” he said, “but if a single bad case still makes national news, it tells you these incidents are rare — but serious.”
Berger advised students to evaluate their individual risk based on several factors, including arrest history (even juvenile or expunged), digital footprint and political activism. He mentioned that international students involved in activism surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict may be more likely to be targeted than those who are not.
Berger emphasized preparation before traveling and encouraged students to speak with immigration attorneys. Travelers should carry original or clear copies of immigration documents, enroll in trusted traveler programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and avoid airports known for tougher enforcement. He mentioned hearing of travelers encountering the most problems at airports in Boston and Texas, as well as at Toronto Pearson Airport, where travelers can go through U.S. immigration.
Middlebury’s General Counsel Hannah Ross joined Berger for the talk, fielding questions and outlining the college’s approach to federal enforcement.
“Students are not obligated to grant law enforcement access to Middlebury buildings,” Ross clarified. “Any warrant or subpoena must be reviewed by my office before we release any student information.”
Berger also confirmed that Middlebury recently joined 85 other colleges and universities in supporting a legal challenge brought by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) against federal screening policies that penalize visa holders for political expression.
Despite these institutional efforts, both Ross and Ruzicka reminded students that Middlebury does not provide individual legal representation. Instead, they pointed students toward external legal resources, including the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire, which is currently representing a Dartmouth College student whose F-1 visa was terminated.
Among the more concrete takeaways was an emphasis on keeping immigration documentation up-to-date and easily accessible. Students were advised to carry their I-94 admission record, visa stamp (if applicable) and identification at all times, particularly when traveling between states or by car.
“You may not have many rights at an airport,” Berger warned. “You’re not technically in the U.S. until you’ve cleared immigration.”
In addition to physical documentation, panelists encouraged minimizing one's digital footprint. Ruzicka mentioned that International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) had already provided resources to students on “digital hygiene,” including removing facial recognition features from social media and managing publicly available information.
In the session’s final stretch, Berger turned toward longer-term planning. For students on temporary humanitarian visas such as DACA, TPS or parole programs, he recommended building contingency plans now.
“These programs were never meant to be permanent,” he said. “Think about transitioning into something more stable — work visas, asylum applications or family-based petitions.”
Ruzicka closed the event by thanking attendees for engaging with such complex material.
“This isn’t an easy time,” she said, “but we want you to know we’re here, and we’ll keep updating you with accurate information.”
The college plans to continue these conversations and will work with student organizations like the Student Government Association (SGA) to develop more training and resources. In the meantime, students were encouraged to reach out to ISSS and Student Affairs for guidance, and to prioritize self-care amid what Ruckiza called a “heavy digital information environment.”
“Take care of yourselves,” Ruzicka urged. “And know that there is a network of support here for you — on this campus and beyond.”
Editor’s Note: This article has been amended for online publication to reflect Dan Berger’s statement on student visa terminations more accurately.
Correction 4/17/2025: The headline for this story has been updated to better reflect the nature of SEVIS records.
Hugo Zhang '28 (he/him) is a News Editor.
Hugo previously served as an Online Editor. He intends to major in Economics and Geography. He enjoys cartography, traveling, and history. Last summer, he studied at Sciences Po Paris and traveled across Europe. He has also conducted research on ethnic minority policies, economic transformation, and urban planning in Northeastern China, also known as Manchuria.
