Temple University reports loss of student visas and halts million in federal funding.

Temple University is facing significant challenges as the Trump administration has revoked the visas of several students, as reported by Media News Source. The university’s president, John A. Fry, confirmed that 14 stop-work orders or terminations of federal grants have been issued, amounting to a loss of million. This financial setback adds to the complexities already confronting the institution.

Fry elaborated that the university’s Office of Global Engagement has been in regular communication with the affected students, many of whom are currently consulting with legal counsel to decide their next course of action. This turn of events follows a recent case where a Temple student voluntarily chose to self-deport after having their visa revoked. This incident marks just one of more than 1,000 visa revocations nationwide that have emerged under Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s directives. While some of these cases are reportedly linked to pro-Palestinian protests on campuses, others involve unrelated issues, such as a recent report involving a student from the University of Minnesota whose visa was rescinded due to a drunken driving charge.

Other local universities, including Rowan University, Rutgers University, and the University of Pennsylvania, have also reported similar instances of visa revocations among their students, although Temple has not disclosed specific figures or details about the impacted individuals, citing privacy concerns.

Fry expressed his awareness of the distress these developments have caused within the university community, emphasizing that the implications extend beyond the individuals directly affected. He also noted that there have been no reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents visiting the campus in relation to these visa issues.

In addition to the visa complications, the university must grapple with the unfortunate reality of losing substantial federal funding. Fry highlighted that recent terminations of grants, primarily from the Department of Health and Human Services, further compound Temple’s financial difficulties. The university had already projected an million deficit within its .2 billion operating budget at the beginning of the year. To address this, Temple has initiated various budgetary measures, including a hiring review and restrictions on nonessential travel, while also planning to reassess ongoing and future capital projects.

Fry remains committed to transparency and communication as the university navigates these turbulent waters, underlining his determination to guide Temple through the current uncertain landscape.