Warner and Kaine challenge Trump administration on student visa clarity

Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine wrote to the Trump administration on Tuesday, demanding answers after international students in Virginia had their visas revoked, they say, without notice and for "vague, non-individualized reasons." 

The senators claim that over 1,000 international students have had their visas revoked or records terminated across the country, including in Virginia. 

The letter, addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, says the terminations and revocations have led to "chaos." 

"We believe in the rule of law and that immigration laws should be enforced," the letter said. "That starts with the Constitution and its guarantees of free speech and due process... [these] protections apply to noncitizens."

The senators state that international students who violate laws should be removed, but that the way the administration is revoking the visas and terminating records without notice "undermines confidence in State and DHS's judgement and erodes Americans' trust in the immigration system and rule of law."

The letter closes by asking the Trump administration to answer questions before May 1, 2025 about how many students had their visas terminated, what evidence was reviewed before termination, how a student would have been notified and if there are any avenues to appeal the terminations.