In a sudden and unexplained move, the U.S. government has revoked the student visa of a Brigham Young University (BYU) doctoral candidate, leaving the student and his family scrambling to determine their future in the United States. Suguru Onda, a Japanese national, has been living legally in the U.S. and was nearing completion of his doctoral studies when his Form I-20, essential to maintaining his F-1 visa status, was unexpectedly canceled.
Onda’s case is part of a larger sweep that reportedly affected dozens of international students across Utah last week. He received the order with no prior warning and was given 15 days to leave the country or risk deportation.
No Criminal Record, Little Explanation
According to Onda and his attorney, Adam Crayk, there appears to be no legitimate reason for the revocation. The government notice issued to Onda cited “failing to maintain status” and mentioned that he had been identified in a “criminal records check.” However, Crayk confirmed that Onda’s record is clean, with only two minor speeding violations and a 2019 fishing-related charge that was dismissed with prejudice.
“There is no criminal history that would justify this kind of punitive immigration response,” said Crayk in an interview with KSL NewsRadio. He emphasized that Onda has no political activity, protest involvement, or social media footprint that might have drawn scrutiny.
AI-Driven Screening Raises Concerns
Crayk further revealed that recent court filings indicate the government may be utilizing artificial intelligence to screen student visa holders for potential infractions or disqualifications. According to him, these automated systems are flagging individuals based on incomplete or flawed data, without subsequent human review or verification.
“That’s part of what’s so troubling,” Crayk said. “We’re seeing the consequences of AI-driven decisions that aren’t being checked by actual people before lives are upended.”
This development has raised alarms among immigration attorneys and education advocates, who fear that reliance on unverified AI analysis could lead to more wrongful visa cancellations.
A Family Caught in Limbo
Onda’s situation is complicated by his personal and family circumstances. He is married and has five children, two of whom were born in the United States. The entire family is now uncertain whether they’ll be forced to return to Japan within days. They had previously planned to travel to Japan during the summer break — not under emergency circumstances.
“Now we’re just trying to figure out what to do,” Onda said. “We don’t know if our kids can finish the school year. It’s heartbreaking.”
Onda expressed particular concern for the impact on his children, who are already anxious and confused about their future. His wife, Kazumi, is also grappling with the emotional and logistical burden of the sudden change.
Despite the turmoil, Onda has found some support from BYU, which is reportedly working to help him continue his studies remotely if necessary. However, the long-term outlook remains unclear, as the decision now rests with an immigration judge. Crayk is pursuing legal avenues to reinstate Onda’s visa and challenge the revocation.
Broader Implications
The case is not isolated. Reports suggest that multiple international students in Utah have experienced similar visa revocations in recent days. It remains unclear whether this is part of a broader federal initiative or a localized issue stemming from the same automated review system.
Form I-20, issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is a document required for all nonimmigrant students accepted at institutions certified under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It is considered a critical element in maintaining lawful status for F-1 student visa holders.
Without this form, international students cannot legally stay in the country, work on campus, or travel internationally and return.
For now, Onda and other affected students remain in limbo — caught between opaque immigration processes and an uncertain future, with education, family, and years of legal residence hanging in the balance.
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