Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Provost Mark Byrnes said during a Thursday meeting of the university’s Student Government Association that four foreign students who were attending the university on a student visa had their legal status revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and will be required to return to their countries of origin or be in violation of federal law.
Byrnes confirmed the revocation when asked about the university’s procedures for cooperating with federal immigration authorities, stating, “We have had four students who were identified by Homeland Security.
Calling the flow of information “a bit sketchy,” Byrnes confirmed four international students had their visas revoked, which means, “they are supposed to be going home, and if they don’t, then they’re in violation.”
The provost added, “that’s the extent of what has happened here at MTSU.”
Byrnes then clarified the intent behind an email sent to university staff members which apparently contained guidance for interacting with federal immigration authorities as the Trump administration cracks down on foreign students, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week moving to examine social media activity of such visa holders for antisemitism as cause for revocation.
“If they’re here lawfully, then we have to cooperate,” said Byrnes. “But there are certain protocols that have to be followed, including having an MTSU officer there.”
The provost then seemed to suggest these procedures only apply to the university’s buildings, and that federal immigration authorities would be able to enforce the law without informing university officials by making arrests on its open campus.
“And if it’s outside a classroom or a private area, then all that stuff doesn’t really apply. I mean, if it’s if you’re walking across campus, you know, well, I don’t know how to put it,” said Byrnes. “It’s an open campus.”
MTSU experiences tensions following Hamas’ attack against Israel on October 7, with the editor-in-chief of its student newspaper ultimately resigning after a statement was issued claiming an article profiling the experiences of an Israeli student at the school was removed for failing “to report on the casualties the Palestinian people have suffered.”
At the time, the student condemned the university for “folding to antisemitism.”
The confirmation that four students at MTSU were subject to visa revocation follows the confirmation by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville that three students and one staff member similarly had their legal status changed by the Trump administration. The university quickly confirmed two of the individuals recently encountered law enforcement.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Image “MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes” by MTSU.
Only 4???