In a rapid response brief sent to faculty Friday afternoon, the University of Minnesota announced that 11 students had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records terminated by the Department of Homeland Security.

Termination of SEVIS records ends a student’s legal status within the U. S., barring them from reentry without alternative forms of approved documentation.

SEVIS is a national database that tracks international students while they study in the U.S. and is managed by the Student and Exchange Visitor program, a division of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

This announcement comes well after the University announced that an international Carlson School graduate student, Dogukan Gunaydin, was detained by ICE officers March 27. Gunaydin, who is still in ICE detention, had his B-1/B-2 student visa revoked by the U.S. Department of State for a driving while intoxicated charge from June 2023.

As of now, over 1,000 international university students have had their visas revoked or SEVIS records terminated, as reported by CNN.

In an April 10 webinar hosted by the University’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), the ISSS said the University is aware the federal government had begun deleting SEVIS records, but it is not entirely clear as to why. The ISSS added that the SEVIS records are not publicly available and can only be accessed by approved ISSS officials.

In the rapid response brief issued Friday, the University announced it will not share any international student SEVIS information to the public.

“You may receive requests for more information about those who are impacted by changes to their immigration status,” the brief said. “While this curiosity no doubt stems from a desire to help, the University will not proactively share this information.”

The University cannot legally share student information under Minnesota state law.

The Minnesota Daily reached out to the University for a comment on the situation, but received no response before publication.