Trump Administration Reinstates International Student Visas Amid Litigation

Trump Administration Reinstates International Student Visas Amid Litigation

Why in the News ?

After over 1,500 visa cancellations and dozens of lawsuits, the US government announced it will reactivate SEVIS records for affected international students. ICE will maintain active status until new termination guidelines are formalized, ending the recent crackdown on student visas.

Reversal of Visa Cancellations:

• ICE announced that all recently terminated SEVIS records for international students will be re-activated or remain active until a formal policy is issued.
• The agency is drafting a termination framework to guide future SEVIS actions.
• Records will not be altered based solely on NCIC (FBI) findings that triggered recent cancellations.
• Notification gaps—students and schools had often received no warning before terminations.

Judicial Interventions and Scope

• Federal courts across multiple states issued temporary injunctions restoring visa status in dozens of lawsuits.
• A New York Times analysis identified 1,500+ cancellations at 222 US institutions.
• Students challenged the terminations as a denial of due process; some faced detention or deportation orders.
• Government lawyers read the reactivation statement in Oakland and Washington, D.C., cases.

Implications for Students and Policy

• The reprieve applies to all similarly situated students, not just litigants.
• SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) tracks visa compliance; NCIC data had been used to trigger terminations.
• Uncertainty persists for students who have already departed voluntarily under threat.
• The move underscores the power of legal challenges in shaping immigration enforcement.
• A clear, published policy is awaited to prevent future abrupt SEVIS actions.