At Penn State University’s SOC 119 sociology class, Dr. Sam Richards once again opened the floor to raw, unscripted conversation – this time about a deeply personal and controversial issue: Should international students lose their visas for committing minor crimes? The April 17, 2025 class quickly turned into a charged discussion about justice, fairness, and whether being in the U.S. is a right or a privilege. Students didn’t hold back, and neither did Dr. Richards.
22 Students Deported – For What?
Early in the class, Dr. Richards laid out the facts. “Twenty-two Penn State students have had their visas revoked and were sent home because they committed a crime,” he stated. But the crimes were relatively minor – shoplifting under $150, small marijuana possession, and first-time DUIs. No violent offenses. No prior records. “None of these students were convicted of a crime,” Richards added. “They were just charged and entered diversion programs.”
“They Didn’t Kill Anyone”
Several students reacted with surprise. One said, “It feels unsettling to hear that someone got sent home over a Monster energy drink or a Snickers bar.” Another said the punishment felt way out of proportion: “U.S. citizens commit the same or worse and don’t face these consequences.” Richards confirmed that some students were kicked out for something as minor as retail theft under the threshold of felony charges. “Could’ve been a candy bar,” he admitted.
Guests in a Country That Doesn’t Forgive
Dr. Richards stressed repeatedly, “You’re a guest in this country. You’re a guest of Penn State. And we, who now run the United States, have decided that breaking certain laws means you get sent home.” For some students, that idea was logical. “It’s not a human right to be here,” one student said firmly. “You go home. You go back to your family. There are worse fates.” Another added, “If I went to Saudi Arabia, I’d follow their laws. Why shouldn’t people do the same here?”
The Fear of One Dumb Mistake
But many students saw the issue through a different lens. One asked, “What if I’m a 4.0 student, a model citizen, and I make one dumb mistake? Why should that ruin my entire life and education?” Dr. Richards and a student named Yuli agreed – college students often make stupid decisions. “All it takes is one,” said Richards, “and you can’t take it back.” Still, several students pushed for context to matter more than a blanket rule.
Diversion Programs: Second Chances or False Hope?
Richards explained that all 22 students were in diversion programs, designed to rehabilitate rather than punish. “These are programs where you’re not found guilty. You pay a fine, do community service, and your charges are withdrawn and eventually expunged,” he said. One student shared he had gone through a similar rehabilitation experience as a teen and praised the process. “I was doing drugs when I was 14. Now I’m back on track,” he said. His message: people can change.
A Promise Pulled Out from Under Them
But some students expressed betrayal. “They were told they could clear their record, and now they’re being deported anyway?” asked one student. Another, named Rose, said, “It feels like they were lied to. If you’re going to deport them anyway, why even let them enter the program?” Richards responded that the policy shift happened quickly and unexpectedly. “Nobody saw it coming,” he said. “Even I don’t know all the details.”
How Much Should a Snickers Bar Cost You?
A critical theme emerged: what should the cost of a small mistake be? “What if someone stole a Snickers bar? That’s it. That’s the crime,” said a student. “Now they’re being sent across the world?” Richards emphasized that shoplifting, even if minor, still says something about a person’s character. “There are a lot of people who want to come to the United States,” he said. “So if you mess up, you might lose your spot.”
Student Voices Clash: Privilege or Punishment?
Some students took a firm stance: “You commit a crime, there are consequences. That’s life.” Another countered, “But we don’t hold citizens to the same standard. Shouldn’t everyone be treated equally?” A third chimed in, “You don’t come to the U.S. planning to commit a crime. These students aren’t criminals – they made mistakes.” The classroom was clearly split between those who saw visa revocation as logical and those who saw it as unnecessarily harsh.
Dr. Richards Asks: What’s the Goal of This Policy?
“Is it about punishment? Is it about deterrence? Or is it about public image?” Dr. Richards asked the room. He noted that some students who had done the exact same things a year earlier kept their visas because they finished their diversion programs before this policy change. “Now their names don’t come up on background checks,” he explained. “But the 22 who got caught during this shift – well, they’re out.”
When Justice Loses Its Balance
From my own perspective, this debate touches something deeper than just immigration policy. It’s about how unforgiving our systems can be when applied without flexibility. When a student who made one mistake gets banished, not just from campus, but from a country, it stops being about accountability and starts becoming about optics and power. The law should draw a line – but maybe not a permanent one over a Snickers bar.
The Uneven Weight of Citizenship
It’s hard not to notice the imbalance here. U.S. students face citations, fines, community service. International students face international flights, shame, and shattered futures. That gap matters. Saying “just don’t break the law” ignores real-world complexity – imperfect people, unclear rules, and a system that doesn’t always give second chances evenly. It may be easy to say, “Don’t shoplift,” but it’s just as easy to say, “Show some mercy.”
Privilege Without Protection
By the end of the class, one idea rang loudest: international students are privileged to be here, but not protected. “It’s not a human right to be here,” one student insisted. But perhaps that’s exactly the problem. If education is a privilege, then fairness should be a right. And in a system where a bag of chips or a forgotten ID can end a student’s future, maybe it’s time we rethink the lines we draw – and who gets erased by them.
Dr. Richards, as always, didn’t give answers. But he gave the room permission to ask the hard questions – and that, more than anything, is what college should be for.
Gary’s love for adventure and preparedness stems from his background as a former Army medic. Having served in remote locations around the world, he knows the importance of being ready for any situation, whether in the wilderness or urban environments. Gary’s practical medical expertise blends with his passion for outdoor survival, making him an expert in both emergency medical care and rugged, off-the-grid living. He writes to equip readers with the skills needed to stay safe and resilient in any scenario.