Key Takeaways
• Over 1,100 international students lost visas or legal status at 174 U.S. colleges since March 2025.
• Federal courts ordered reinstatement of legal status for affected students, including a Georgia order restoring 133 statuses by April 22, 2025.
• SEVIS terminations caused abrupt legal loss, leading to fear, halted studies, and numerous lawsuits against ICE and DHS.
Thousands of international students in the United States 🇺🇸 are living through one of the most uncertain times in recent memory. Since late March 2025, immigration officials have terminated or revoked the legal status of over 1,100 international students at 174 different colleges and university systems. For many, this came as a shock. At the heart of this wave is the work of several federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who manage the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, often called SEVIS. This database helps the government keep track of international students studying in the United States 🇺🇸.
The problems have been sudden and wide-reaching. Many students learned through emails – with little warning – that SEVIS marked their record as “terminated.” For international students, the termination of their record means the immediate loss of legal status, putting their education and futures in the country at serious risk.
The Start of the Problem
International students have always lived with some uncertainty, given the strict visa policies and detailed reporting required. But the recent events under the Trump administration have made things much more difficult. According to reports, the latest wave started in March 2025. Since then, nearly 1,100 students have lost their visas or had their status revoked, a number that keeps growing as more reports come in.
One example is Anjan Roy, a graduate student from Bangladesh at Missouri State University. Roy received a simple email stating his SEVIS record was terminated. This left him shocked, scared, and with a sense of betrayal. The fear of deportation meant Roy avoided classes, stayed home as much as possible, and rarely turned on his phone. His situation is not unique. Many students are now worried about leaving their homes, even for basic needs like food.
The scale of SEVIS terminations is still being understood. The Associated Press is investigating hundreds more who might also have lost their legal status. What’s clear is that this is not limited to one college or region – it is taking place nationwide.
Why International Students Are Losing Their Status
The U.S. government, led by President Trump’s administration, has said these actions were justified. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that visas were revoked for visitors “acting counter to national interests.” He mentioned that people protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza and individuals facing criminal charges were a focus. However, many affected students say they have not committed any serious wrongdoing.
Some students admit to small mistakes, like unknowingly violating minor campus rules, but most are unclear why they became targets. This confusion has added to the anxiety for countless young men and women who saw years of hard work seemingly erased overnight.
When government lawyers explained their position in court, they pointed to backgrounds checks and other legal procedures to justify revoking or terminating status. Attorney R. David Powell told judges that international students “did not suffer significant harm” because they might transfer to other academic programs or find work in their home country.
How SEVIS Terminations Work
SEVIS is the main database the U.S. government uses to track international students. Every international student must keep a SEVIS record, which is reviewed and updated as students finish coursework, change majors, switch schools, or graduate. If a college or university marks a student as out of compliance – maybe for not taking enough classes or missing tuition payments – their SEVIS record can be terminated. If that happens, the student’s legal status is lost, and they become subject to removal from the United States 🇺🇸.
The fast and sometimes confusing way SEVIS was used to mark so many students as out of status in this recent crackdown has thrown many lives into turmoil. Most students got little warning or explanation. They lost access to classes and campus services, and their dreams seemed to vanish, often because of system errors or miscommunication.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals many students were given little time to respond or appeal. Some had no idea their records were in trouble until they received ICE notices or university emails. For hundreds, SEVIS termination meant stopping participation in research, internships, and jobs.
The Emotional and Practical Impact of Lost Legal Status
Losing legal status is about much more than studies. For thousands of international students, it means the possible end of dreams. Many of those affected are top performers, some enrolled in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) programs. These programs often include on-the-job training, adding to the value these scholars bring to the country.
Here’s how the crisis is affecting daily life:
- Students feel constantly anxious and fear ICE raids or questioning.
- They avoid public places and sometimes skip class, worried their presence on campus will draw notice from authorities.
- Many question whether they will ever finish their degrees, even after years of studying.
- Students with job offers after graduation are afraid those opportunities will disappear along with their legal status.
- Some have begun to doubt their future in the United States 🇺🇸 and, in some cases, are forced to leave the country with little hope of returning.
Charles Kuck, an attorney working for several affected students, explained that the pressure on students is enormous. He accused the government of trying to “encourage self-deportation” by making life so difficult for international students that they choose to leave. But Kuck also pointed out that “these kids are invested.” Many have spent years working toward their degrees, investing money and hope.
Turning to the Courts: Students Fight Back
Faced with such heavy challenges, many international students have decided to fight. Lawsuits have been filed in federal courts from Georgia to Washington. These cases usually demand quick action to stop immediate removal and require ICE and DHS to restore legal status as it existed before the crackdown.
The results have been meaningful and, so far, mostly positive for students:
- In Georgia, a federal judge ordered ICE to reinstate the legal statuses of 133 students by April 22, 2025. The order demands that student statuses be “retroactively restored” to March 31, 2025.
- Judge Calvert, who issued the Georgia order, agreed that students were in danger of “irreparable harm.” He cited the loss of legal status, loss of educational opportunities, missed work placements, and severe stress.
- Other federal judges in New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Montana, Oregon, and Washington have handed down similar orders, giving students breathing room, at least for now.
Many court cases are supported by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who argue that abrupt SEVIS terminations and summary removal are unfair and cause untold damage to students who often have done nothing wrong.
The Human Side: Stories from the Students
Anjan Roy’s story shows just how high the stakes are. The moment he found out about the loss of his legal status, his routine and mindset changed. Even after his lawyer, Charles Kuck, helped win a court order restoring his status, Roy was not at ease. He began asking his roommates to screen anyone who knocked at the door. Even with the status restored, he knows the fight isn’t over. Another hearing will decide whether his legal status will be protected for the rest of the court case.
For Roy and his classmates, daily life feels fragile. Court victories are only temporary, and the threat of status loss or removal never fully disappears. Their lives are on hold, and every day can bring more uncertainty.
Stories like Roy’s are all too common. Many affected students are in the final years of their studies. They were close to graduation but are now unsure if they will be allowed to finish their degrees. Some had secured internships or jobs that now hang in the balance. These changes threaten their hopes for a better future.
A Problem That Goes Beyond the Classroom
This issue is not just about individual students or specific colleges. The crisis puts pressure on universities, employers, and even the broader economy. Many international students pay full tuition, helping schools keep programs running. They bring global perspectives and often work in areas with job shortages.
If these students are removed, the losses will be widespread:
- Colleges might lose talented students and suffer a drop in tuition income.
- Employers miss out on skilled workers who add energy and new ideas, especially in science and technology jobs.
- International families, who invest huge amounts in sending children to study in the United States 🇺🇸, may rethink their plans or choose other countries for higher education.
According to data reported by VisaVerge.com, the student visa system plays a major role in U.S. higher education. The SEVIS database, managed by ICE, is intended as a tool for order and transparency – not to trigger mass status removals. The current crisis has exposed weaknesses in how information is managed and how students can challenge decisions.
The Legal Path Forward
For those fighting in court, the path ahead is unclear. Many rulings have restored legal status only on a temporary basis while the bigger cases move forward. Judges have shown sympathy for student arguments, especially when students were in good academic standing and facing no criminal investigations. Federal courts have ordered ICE and DHS to reverse terminations, at least for now, but a final outcome is still months away.
Lawsuits have named high-profile defendants, including General Pami, Security Secretary Noem, and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. These cases are likely to set important precedents for the future, shaping how SEVIS is managed and what rights international students hold.
If you’re interested in seeing how the government manages the student visa system or want to check the latest updates for SEVIS, you can visit the official ICE site at their Student and Exchange Visitor Program page, which gives details about student requirements and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
What Should Students and Schools Do Now?
For international students and school officials trying to cope with the situation, here are some practical steps:
- Students should keep in close contact with their designated school officials (DSOs), who can help monitor their SEVIS status and report any problems.
- Students must keep all documents updated, attend class as required, and follow all rules outlined by their schools.
- If any SEVIS alerts or emails are received, immediate contact with legal support or the school’s international office is critical.
- Students affected by SEVIS termination should look for legal help, including support from organizations like the ACLU or local law clinics.
- Colleges should offer targeted support for international students, providing legal referrals and mental health resources.
The best step for any student facing SEVIS trouble is to act quickly. Having the right paperwork and legal help can often make the difference between removal and getting a chance to stay and finish a degree.
Looking Ahead
As court battles play out, the fate of thousands of international students hangs in the balance. The wave of SEVIS terminations and loss of legal status has highlighted deep problems in the system. For students, the future holds stress, but also hope – hope that court orders will stand, and the promise of American education will not be cut short. With legal cases moving forward and schools pushing for fairness, attention is growing on the need for clear rules and a student visa system that protects students while also serving national interests.
The next few months will be critical. For now, international students must continue defending their place in the United States 🇺🇸, even as court victories give only brief moments of relief. As more information comes to light and as more court rulings are made, the story of international students, their legal status, and the role of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System will stay a focus for all who care about higher education and fairness in immigration.
Learn Today
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System; a government database tracking international students’ legal status in the United States.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement; a U.S. federal agency enforcing immigration laws and overseeing SEVIS data for foreign students.
DSO → Designated School Official; the college or university staff member responsible for managing international students’ SEVIS records.
Status Revocation → The cancellation of a student’s immigration status, making continued legal presence in the U.S. impossible.
Retroactive Restoration → A court-ordered return of a student’s legal status to a previous date, reversing the effects of termination.
This Article in a Nutshell
Since March 2025, over 1,100 international students at 174 U.S. universities experienced abrupt SEVIS terminations, losing their legal status. Court victories, including status reinstatement orders, offer temporary relief. This crisis reveals flaws in SEVIS management, causing immense anxiety and placing students’ futures, educational opportunities, and well-being at serious risk.
— By VisaVerge.com
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