On April 18, 2025, District Judge Victoria M. Calvert in Atlanta granted a request for a temporary restraining order (TRO). It was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and several other civil rights organizations. The decision affects 133 foreign students who have been deprived of their legal status in the United States. According to news reports, ICE has until 5:00 p.m. this afternoon to reinstate their status.
According to the lawsuit filed on behalf of the students, many of them had their SEVIS records revoked without cause. Some of the plaintiffs had minor violations. Most of these were traffic tickets, and the courts later dismissed the cases. However, some students had no violations or contact with law enforcement at all.
The court recognized ICE’s actions as potentially unlawful and demanded immediate restoration of the students’ legal status. The main argument in the lawsuit: the revocation of SEVIS records was used as an instrument of pressure on foreign students. It was done to force them to leave the U.S. on their own initiative.
“DHS’s actions in unlawfully revoking SEVIS records are intended to force students to withdraw and self-deport.” Says the text of the lawsuit. This approach violates provisions of federal law. Which concerns international students, including the norms established by the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
Such actions by government agencies diminish confidence in the U.S. immigration system. Illegal revocation of student status threatens not only the academic future of international students, but also their immigration status. Possible consequences:
1. Contact an immigration attorney. Consult with an experienced immigration attorney immediately. At KAASS LAW, we provide students with advice on status reinstatement and deportation defense.
2. Check Your SEVIS Status. Request information from the institution regarding your SEVIS status. Ask the DSO to confirm in writing if they changed your SEVIS record without notifying you.
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