Multiple universities contacted by the USA TODAY Network regarding the visa cancellations declined to discuss specifics, citing student confidentiality. Immigration experts said they've never seen the federal government make such sweeping changes to the ordinarily low-profile process of hosting international students.

The administration has not provided a reason for most cases, but some students have been targeted because of their pro-Palestinian activism.

Over the past week, nearly 300 full-time international students across the country were informed that their visa status had been revoked.