trump Administration Retreats on international Student visa Terminations Amid legal Challenges
WASHINGTON — In a important reversal, the Trump administration is backing down from a contentious legal battle over actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that threatened the immigration status of thousands of international students studying in the United States. The dramatic shift, announced in court proceedings nationwide on Friday, follows a flurry of lawsuits filed by students who argued their legal status was being revoked without explanation.
Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys informed the courts that immigration officials are working to establish a new system to review and terminate the records of international students,known as SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Facts System) records,wich are linked to their immigration status. A statement read in court and provided to the students’ attorneys stated that “ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations.” Furthermore, officials pledged not to base cancellations solely on whether a student’s name appears in a search of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Until the new process is finalized, officials said they would cease issuing new revocations based on NCIC searches. Moreover, a Justice Department attorney stated during a hearing Friday that ICE is in the process of reinstating the records of all students whose statuses were terminated through the now-discredited process, not just those who had individually filed lawsuits.
“ICE still maintains the authority to terminate a SEVIS record for other reasons,” the DOJ clarified in a new statement submitted in the court cases. “Such as if a student fails to maintain his or her nonimmigrant status after the record is reactivated, or engages in other unlawful activity that would render him or her removable from the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act.”
The SEVIS database, operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), tracks the immigration status of international students and is used by universities to maintain information about their enrollment. Attorneys representing students have argued in court documents that the SEVIS revocations were often accompanied by visa cancellations, placing the students at risk of deportation. The DOJ,however,maintains that the SEVIS changes did not cause the visa terminations.
The Trump administration initiated the visa cancellations and deportation proceedings in March, initially targeting students who participated in protests against the Israel-Hamas war on college campuses in 2023. The enforcement blitz caused widespread panic and anxiety among international students, resulting in some detentions and at least two self-deportations. In the ensuing weeks, immigration officials reportedly began revoking students’ immigration statuses over minor legal infractions, and in some cases, without any apparent explanation.Several federal judges have intervened, halting some revocations and issuing restraining orders to prevent students from being removed from the contry.
The cases have revealed that ICE justified the record terminations by citing an alleged “criminal history” for the students, even in cases where students were arrested but never charged, or where charges were dismissed.
While the move to restore student statuses is likely to alleviate concerns among thousands of international students facing the threat of deportation, it does not appear to affect other international students whose visas were revoked, including students like Rumeysa Ozturk, the Tufts University student who was arrested near her home in Massachusetts, and Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate and legal permanent resident who was arrested near his home on campus after being accused of engaging in activities in support of Hamas.
ICE appeared to cancel students’ SEVIS statuses for minor infractions, including drunk driving and traffic violations, according to multiple lawsuits. Some students saw their records canceled even if they had never been convicted of a crime. One such student is Xiaotian Liu, a Chinese national and computer science graduate researcher at Dartmouth University who has been in the United States since 2016. According to his attorney, Liu’s status was changed without notice earlier this month despite him never having committed a crime or a traffic violation. A judge recently issued a restraining order to prevent any goverment action against Liu.
“it is clear that the deluge of legal filings and initial judicial rulings in New Hampshire and nationwide have had a profound impact on the government’s decision to reactivate the SEVIS records of some students and allow them to continue their studies,” said Gilles Bissonnette, Legal Director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, which is representing Mr. Liu. “Many questions remain, including the criteria that will be used for these reactivations and whether this will apply to students who did not file lawsuits.”
Foreign students, who typically hold an F-1 visa, are required to meet specific criteria to maintain their status, including full-time coursework and no unauthorized employment. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) estimates that some 4,700 students saw their records abruptly changed as part of the administration’s initiative.
“ICE is now officially pulling back from its disastrous and harmful actions that terminated the status of nearly 5,000 students with visas but only after AILA members and others filed dozens of lawsuits,” said Gregory chen, AILA’s senior director of government relations. “While ICE pulling back on its massive mistake now gives some relief to thousands of people, there are still long-term harms that continue to hurt these students and their families as well as American universities, research institutions and businesses.”
While the administration argues that the reinstatement of records should defuse the court fights, at least one judge on Friday questioned the administration’s actions.
Senior District Judge jeffrey White, sitting in San francisco, requested that the administration submit additional information about the new statement and grilled DOJ attorneys on questions he had asked them to prepare for ahead of the hearing.
Attorneys for the students argued that ICE’s proclamation did not address all the issues that had arisen because of the records’ termination.
One of those attorneys, John Sinodis, called the new ICE statement “woefully inadequate,” asking what it would mean for students who left the country because their records had been terminated. “Would they be given a new visa to reenter?” he asked. “Will ICE arrest and detain those whose visas were revoked?”
The judge himself appeared skeptical that the issues had been fully resolved, pushing back when a DOJ attorney urged him to consider that there was a “new world order” with Friday’s announcement.
“It seems like, from this administration, there’s a new world order every single day,” Judge White said.
Counterargument: While the administration has stated that it is reinstating the SEVIS records of affected students, some critics argue that the damage has already been done. The uncertainty and fear instilled in international students may deter future enrollment, impacting U.S. universities and research institutions. Moreover, students who were wrongly deported may face significant challenges in returning to the U.S., even if their records are reinstated.
Several months later, as of September 17, 2025, little has changed. While the affected students have had their records reinstated, and the new policy framework is not any clearer, the issue is now tied up in the court system, with the government saying that any new changes to the SEVIS system would need to be ratified by the courts.
FAQ: International Student Visa Status
Q: What is SEVIS?
A: SEVIS, or the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a database operated by the Department of Homeland Security that tracks the immigration status of international students and exchange visitors in the United States.Q: What is an F-1 visa?
A: An F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant student visa that allows foreign nationals to pursue academic studies at a U.S. educational institution.
Q: What can cause an international student’s visa status to be terminated?
A: Several factors can lead to the termination of an international student’s visa status, including failing to maintain full-time enrollment, engaging in unauthorized employment, or violating U.S. laws.
Q: What should I do if my SEVIS record is terminated?
A: If your SEVIS record is terminated, it’s crucial to seek legal advice from an immigration attorney promptly. An attorney can assess your situation and advise you on the best course of action to protect your immigration status.
Q: Are there resources available to help me understand and comply with U.S. immigration laws?
A: Yes, resources are available to help international students understand and comply with U.S. immigration laws. Your designated school official (DSO) at your university can provide guidance, and organizations like NAFSA and AILA offer educational materials and legal support.
Given the management’s stated commitment to reevaluating SEVIS record terminations,what specific criteria,beyond NCIC searches,are expected to be used to determine the validity of international student visas?
Table of Contents
- 1. Given the management’s stated commitment to reevaluating SEVIS record terminations,what specific criteria,beyond NCIC searches,are expected to be used to determine the validity of international student visas?
- 2. Archyde Exclusive: Interview with Dr. Anya Sharma on Trump Administration’s International Student Visa Reversals
- 3. the Administration’s U-Turn
- 4. Unpacking the Revisions
- 5. The Broader Impact
- 6. looking ahead
Archyde Exclusive: Interview with Dr. Anya Sharma on Trump Administration’s International Student Visa Reversals
Welcome, readers, to Archyde News. Today, we have a special interview with Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading immigration policy analyst and professor at the Institute for Migration Studies. Dr. Sharma,thank you for joining us.
Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure.
the Administration’s U-Turn
Archyde: Dr. Sharma, the Trump administration recently made a significant reversal regarding the termination of international student visas. What led to this change, and what does it signify?
Dr. Sharma: The administration’s retreat, as we’ve seen, was largely a response to the legal challenges and widespread criticism. Facing numerous lawsuits and significant backlash, the Department of Justice is now working on a new framework. the new strategy involves reevaluating the Student and Exchange Visitor Information system (SEVIS) record terminations, and reinstating records where they have been erroneously terminated. this shift highlights the importance of legal challenges in holding administrations accountable and protecting individuals’ rights.
Unpacking the Revisions
Archyde: The administration has stated it is moving away from basing terminations solely on NCIC searches.However, many questions remain. Can you provide insights on how the new criteria for evaluating the SEVIS records will work?
Dr. Sharma: Absolutely. What we certainly know from the limited information is that the government has promised a new framework. The details haven’t been fully clarified yet, and that’s where the uncertainty lies. The new framework is supposed to take into account other factors, like how serious the infractions are, and if the students can actually meet the visa expectations. It’s a critical juncture.
The Broader Impact
Archyde: Despite the reinstatement of some records, the crisis has left many students in a state of uncertainty. What long-term repercussions could this have on international students,universities,and the U.S. economy?
Dr.Sharma: The damage done is significant. The fear and uncertainty created by these actions may deter future international students from choosing the United States. this loss of talent would detrimentally affect our institutions of higher learning, and the research institutions. Besides, the international students add a lot to the economy, spending about $40 billion a year. The reputational damage of the country could also result in the economy falling, if there is no fix in the works.
looking ahead
Archyde: What lessons from this situation might be taken to improve future immigration policies for international students?
Dr. Sharma: One very important point from this instance is the need for clear interaction and due process. International students deserve fair measures that respect their rights and provide them with some level of security. The administration should be more transparent in the process, especially when implementing changes that affect thousands of lives and affect international relations.
Archyde: Considering the numerous unanswered questions and an uncertain future for the thousands of students involved, Do you see any hope for the situation to finally resolve itself? Where do you think that hope comes from?
Dr. sharma: I remain optimistic for those involved, but realistic to. This kind of action is now tied to the legal system, and could take a good amount of time and changes to fix. But, this can’t be about politics if the government is really going to address this crisis properly. I am hopeful the current administration will take action, by actually listening to the student’s needs and making sure they can continue their studies.
Archyde: Dr. Sharma, thank you for your insightful analysis. It has been an enlightening discussion. We appreciate your time.
Dr.Sharma: You’re most welcome.
Thank you,readers,for joining us at Archyde. we encourage you to share your thoughts and comments on this crucial issue below.
