Key Takeaways
• At least 28 lawsuits filed challenge over 178 international student SEVIS terminations nationwide.
• Courts have reinstated SEVIS records for 133 students, issuing temporary restraining orders against removals.
• Students allege violations of due process and face immediate loss of legal status, work, and education.
At least 28 lawsuits have been filed in federal courts across the United States 🇺🇸 in recent months, representing 178 international students who have lost their student visa status after the sudden termination of their SEVIS records. SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is a central database that tracks information about non-U.S. citizens who come to the United States 🇺🇸 for study or exchange programs. These lawsuits shine a light on serious worries raised by students, their attorneys, and advocates about due process, fair treatment, and the real-life impact these actions have on students from all over the world.
What Is Happening?
International students are facing problems because their student visa or SEVIS records have been terminated. When this happens, it means they may lose their right to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 legally, lose work authorization (like OPT), and become unable to attend classes or use university resources. In some cases, they also face the risk of being placed in removal (deportation) proceedings if found in the country without a valid status.
At the center of the problems are actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. The students say these agencies ended SEVIS records without giving proper notices, clear reasons, or a chance to explain their side of the story.
How Widespread Is the Problem?
The scale of the issue is larger than the numbers in the lawsuits alone suggest. While there are at least 178 students named in court filings, Inside Higher Ed has tracked at least 1,300 confirmed student visa revocations in the United States 🇺🇸 over a short period. Immigration attorneys believe the real number could be higher, possibly impacting thousands nationwide.
Students affected come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but most are from China 🇨🇳 and India 🇮🇳. Others are from Spain 🇪🇸, Colombia 🇨🇴, Mexico 🇲🇽, Bangladesh 🇧🇩, South Korea 🇰🇷, Nigeria 🇳🇬, Iran 🇮🇷, and Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦. These students are largely enrolled in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), or business programs, which are in high demand in the global job market.
Why Are Students Filing Lawsuits?
The lawsuits focus mainly on three big issues:
1. Due Process Concerns
Many students say they were denied basic legal protections, known as “due process.” In simple terms, due process means the government must give you fair procedures before taking away important rights. Here, students claim they were not told in advance that their SEVIS record or student visa would be taken away. Sometimes, the only way they found out was when their university access was suddenly cut off, or a school official told them after the fact.
2. Claims of Unlawful Government Action
Students argue that ICE and other federal agencies broke the law by ending SEVIS records in a way that didn’t follow proper rules. According to the lawsuits, the government did not offer an individualized review of each student’s case or share clear criteria for why SEVIS was terminated. Many of these lawsuits make claims under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which requires agencies to follow certain steps and give reasons for their actions.
3. Irreparable Harm
Once a student’s SEVIS status is ended, the effects are immediate and severe. Students lose their authorization to work as part of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program and may no longer transfer to another school or leave and re-enter the United States 🇺🇸 safely. For many, falling out of status also means they could face detention or removal, especially if caught during a routine check. Students stress that these things can disrupt their lives, careers, and even family plans.
What Does the Government Say?
Government attorneys respond that a SEVIS termination is just a record change in a database—it does not always mean a visa has been canceled or status lost. One said in court papers:
“Terminating a student’s SEVIS record doesn’t mean their visa is revoked…SEVIS is simply a database and does not ‘control or even necessarily reflect whether a student has lawful nonimmigrant status.’”
Still, in the real world, international student advisers called DSOs (Designated School Officials) often tell students to leave the United States 🇺🇸 right away once their SEVIS record is terminated, because there is usually no grace period. This creates confusion and fear among affected students, who don’t know whether they are allowed to stay, to appeal, or if they will be in trouble.
What Have the Courts Decided So Far?
Several federal judges have started to step in. A major court in Georgia 🇺🇸 ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reinstate the SEVIS records for 133 students, at least for now. The court said that just changing a database entry is not enough to take away important legal rights. This order also instructed the government not to share these students’ personal information more than necessary for the case and to keep the court updated on their status. Other courts around the United States 🇺🇸 have granted similar temporary orders, showing that judges are concerned about how quickly and without warning the government acted.
These temporary restraining orders (TROs) stop the government from enforcing SEVIS terminations while the court case goes on. Judges say there is strong public interest in making sure the rules are followed, and that international students—many of whom have made the United States 🇺🇸 their home—are treated fairly.
Case Table: Comparing Student and Government Views
The following table shows where the two sides stand on the main issues:
| Issue | Students Claim/Outcome | Government Response |
|---|---|---|
| Number/Scope | At least 28 lawsuits, 178+ named, thousands at risk | Not all terminations mean visa revocation |
| Due Process | Lack of notice and chance to respond | Actions follow existing protocol |
| Effect on Status | Immediate risk of losing legal status or being deported | SEVIS is only a database, not always final |
| Court Rulings | TROs and reinstatement orders in several states | Government is following court orders to restore records |
What Is SEVIS and Why Does It Matter?
SEVIS is a web-based system used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to collect information about international students and exchange visitors. If you are a student on an F-1 visa, your status in the United States 🇺🇸 depends on your SEVIS record being “active.” SEVIS also tracks things like program changes, address updates, and compliance with visa rules. If the record is terminated, you may lose status and face all the consequences that come with it.
For more details about SEVIS and your responsibilities as a student, you can visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVIS page.
Stories Behind the Numbers
The affected students are not just numbers or names in court papers—they are people who have come to the United States 🇺🇸 for education and opportunity. Most have followed the law, worked hard in their studies, and hope for a fair chance to defend themselves if something goes wrong. Many of them planned their future careers around OPT or other work options after graduation. Without clear rules and a way to explain their side, these plans can come crashing down overnight.
One pattern reported is that many students only learn about their SEVIS termination from a university staff member or after being locked out of campus computer systems. Because there is often no explanation or warning, students and their families are left in shock, worried about their legal status and future in the United States 🇺🇸.
Why Are So Many Stem and Business Students Impacted?
STEM and business programs are popular among international students, partly because they are seen as opening the door to better jobs and long-term immigration options. Employers seek graduates in these areas, and U.S. policy has allowed STEM students more time on OPT. However, this also means that when problems like SEVIS terminations arise, a large share of the affected group is from these programs.
Potential Long-Term Impacts
The quick and confusing nature of these SEVIS terminations could have long-term results beyond the current lawsuits:
- Loss of Trust: International students may feel that the United States 🇺🇸 is not a safe or welcoming place to study, leading them to choose other countries for education.
- Recruitment Challenges: Universities may find it harder to attract bright students from countries like China 🇨🇳, India 🇮🇳, and others if stories keep spreading about students being forced to leave suddenly.
- Workforce Impact: The United States 🇺🇸 could lose promising talent in science, technology, and business, hurting industries that depend on new ideas and global skills.
Legal Arguments in Detail
Due Process Rights
The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says the government cannot take away a person’s life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Students say SEVIS terminations without warning or a chance to explain break these basic legal rules. Courts have to decide whether the government must offer hearings, notice, or other protections before ending a student’s right to stay and study.
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) Claims
The APA sets limits on what federal agencies like ICE can do. It requires clear, reasonable procedures and says agencies cannot act in ways that are “arbitrary” or “capricious.” By ending SEVIS records without following the law, students claim ICE went beyond its powers. If courts agree, some or all SEVIS terminations could be undone or stopped from happening the same way in the future.
Irreparable Harm and Court Relief
The loss of SEVIS status or a student visa cannot be fixed just by money or compensation. Students who lose their legal status may have no way to finish their studies or restart the visa process. Courts have responded by issuing TROs, which are short-term orders to freeze things while the judge takes a closer look.
Immediate Outcomes and Future Steps
So far, some students have won relief from the courts, meaning their SEVIS records will be restored at least until the lawsuits are resolved. Government agencies have started to update records and are providing required notifications as ordered by judges.
Meanwhile, attorneys continue to file new lawsuits, and groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are watching the situation closely. Lawmakers and school officials are also starting to weigh in, asking for better rules and protections for international students.
What Can Affected Students Do?
If you are an international student facing SEVIS termination or a student visa problem, consider the following steps:
- Contact your school’s DSO for advice right away.
- Keep all records and communications from the school or government.
- Ask if your school or state has legal clinics or free help for students.
- Stay updated by checking ICE’s SEVIS information or trusted sources.
Students, parents, and schools need to know their rights and options. As reported by VisaVerge.com, it is important for everyone involved to keep track of legal updates and to seek help if faced with SEVIS terminations or related visa issues.
Conclusion
The growing number of lawsuits over SEVIS terminations and student visa loss highlights deep worries about U.S. immigration procedures. At least 28 lawsuits now stand as a test for how the United States 🇺🇸 treats international students and respects rules of fairness. While courts have begun to restore some students’ records, the larger questions remain: Will the government change its approach? Will international students feel welcome and secure in the United States 🇺🇸 in the future? The answers will likely shape the country’s global standing as a top destination for education for years to come.
Learn Today
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a government database tracking international students’ status in the U.S.
Due Process → A legal principle ensuring fair procedures before the government deprives individuals of rights, such as visa status.
OPT → Optional Practical Training, a program allowing international students to work in the U.S. after graduation.
TRO → Temporary Restraining Order, a court order pausing government actions until further judicial review.
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) → A federal law requiring agencies to follow transparent procedures and provide reasons for their actions.
This Article in a Nutshell
Hundreds of international students in the U.S. face sudden SEVIS terminations, risking legal status, work, and education. Lawsuits allege due process violations and arbitrary government actions. Courts have intervened, restoring some records, but confusion remains, especially for STEM and business students, threatening the nation’s reputation as a top study destination.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• How to Confirm if Your SEVIS Record is Terminated
• When SEVIS termination could occur for students in the US
• How to Stay in the USA Legally After SEVIS Termination
• Can Your University Assist with SEVIS Termination Issues
• Key Steps to Take After SEVIS Termination
