The Trump administration has made a significant policy reversal by restoring visas for hundreds of foreign students whose legal status was abruptly terminated. This move follows widespread panic and uncertainty among students, who feared immediate deportation after their visas were revoked without warning.
According to officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, immigration authorities are now developing a new system to review and manage visas for international students. Elizabeth Kurlan, an attorney with the department, informed a federal court that officials are working to establish a process to review and terminate visas in a more structured manner. This decision comes after over 100 lawsuits were filed by students who had their visas revoked, challenging the sudden decision.
The initial visa terminations affected about 1,800 students and 280 universities across the United States. Many of the affected students were believed to have participated in political protests or faced minor criminal charges, such as traffic violations. Some students, fearing detention or deportation, left the U.S. voluntarily to avoid being caught in the immigration crackdown.
Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, had previously indicated that the administration would terminate the visas of students whose actions were deemed counterproductive to U.S. interests. The policy caused confusion and fear at universities nationwide, with students unsure whether they would be allowed to remain in the U.S. and continue their studies.
In response to the court order, the U.S. Justice Department has confirmed that the records of affected students will be restored in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems (SEVIS). SEVIS is a government database that tracks the compliance of foreign students with visa requirements. However, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) maintains the authority to terminate a student’s SEVIS record if the student fails to maintain their nonimmigrant status or engages in other unlawful activities.
While many students are relieved by the restoration of their status, legal experts warn that the ordeal is far from over. Elora Mukherjee, director of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School, emphasized that although students have received a temporary reprieve, they are still at risk of further actions by immigration authorities if they fail to meet visa requirements.
“Getting their status reinstated in SEVIS is a relief for many students, but it does not mean their troubles are over,” Mukherjee stated. “These students are still vulnerable to future immigration actions.”
Despite the Justice Department’s assurances that the terminations were a result of an incorrect procedure, attorneys representing students argue that the revocations violated their clients’ legal rights. Students who had their visas terminated were left in limbo, unable to pursue their studies, while the threat of detention and deportation loomed over them.
As the situation continues to develop, many affected students are still working with their legal teams to ensure their status remains intact and that they can continue their education without fear of further disruptions. While the Trump administration has reversed its stance on these visa terminations, the future of many international students in the U.S. remains uncertain.
