Between April and early August 2025, at least 2,049 Nepali students in the United States had their SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records terminated or canceled, according to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
SEVIS is a U.S. government database used to track international students and exchange visitors on F and M visas. The termination of a SEVIS record invalidates a student’s visa status, which can result in the loss of their legal right to study or remain in the U.S.
In April 2025, there were 32,070 Nepali students actively enrolled in U.S. educational institutions with valid SEVIS records. By early August, this number had dropped to 30,019, marking a decrease of 2,049 students. The data shows a consistent decline each month: a drop of 81 students from April to May (31,989), 527 from May to June (31,462), 982 from June to July (30,480), and 461 from July to August (30,019).
While some new students may have been added to SEVIS during this period, the overall decline indicates at least 2,049 Nepali students had their records terminated. The actual number of terminations is likely higher than reported due to new enrollments.
SEVIS terminations are not solely due to visa cancellations by the U.S. Department of State or DHS. They can also occur if students drop out, complete their studies, or change their visa status.
According to legal experts, the U.S. Department of State revoked the visas of over 100 Nepali students in April and May, with SEVIS termination notifications sent via email by U.S. embassies or educational institutions. Although stricter immigration policies may have contributed to these cancellations, the exact number of administrative terminations remains unclear.
Additionally, DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have revised SEVIS data from August 2024 to January 2025. Previously, the August 2024 record showed 16,933 enrolled students, but this was corrected to 21,583. Similarly, the January 2025 record was updated from 16,933 to 27,870, and the February 2025 record was revised from 16,933 to 31,501.
As of August 2025, the 30,019 Nepali students in the U.S. include 17,040 males and 12,979 females. The students are pursuing various degrees: 5,514 are in associate degree programs, 10,447 in bachelor’s programs, 9,529 in master’s programs, 4,058 in doctoral programs, 65 in flight schools, 204 in language programs, and 195 in other types of studies. Geographically, Texas hosts the most Nepali students (5,975), followed by Ohio (2,169), New York (1,972), Missouri (1,393), Kentucky (1,568), Louisiana (1,081), California (1,069), and Virginia (957).
The number of Nepali students in Texas decreased from 7,019 in April to 5,975 in August. In contrast, New York saw a slight increase from 1,959 in April to 1,972 in August. Earlier data shows a general upward trend for New York, with 1,644 Nepali students in January and 1,737 in March. This suggests that some Nepali students are relocating from Texas to other states, such as New York.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
