US Judge Stops Deportation of Wisconsin Indian Student

Key Takeaways

• US Judge blocked deportation of Indian student Krish Lal Isserdasani after abrupt F-1 visa revocation.
• Ruling highlighted lack of due process and protection of students’ rights before sudden SEVIS terminations.
• At least 1,300 students lost visas since January 2025 under stricter immigration policies without clear warning.

A US Judge recently blocked the deportation of Krish Lal Isserdasani, an Indian student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison 🇺🇸, after his visa was revoked just weeks before he was set to graduate. The ruling has become a central topic in ongoing discussions about student visas and due process for international students in the United States 🇺🇸, especially as new policies have led to more students losing their visas without clear warning. The case stands as a sign of both the pressures faced by foreign students and the role of the courts in making sure rules are fair.

What Happened to Krish Lal Isserdasani?

Krish Lal Isserdasani, a 21-year-old student from India 🇮🇳, arrived in the United States 🇺🇸 in 2021 to earn his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison 🇺🇸. Like thousands of international students each year, he came on an F-1 student visa—a document that allows foreigners to study full-time at schools approved by the US government.

Leading up to his planned graduation in May 2025, Isserdasani had done everything right: he stayed in good standing with the school, kept up with his classes, and followed the rules for F-1 visa holders. Things changed quickly in April 2025, when his visa was revoked out of the blue.

Why Was His Visa Revoked?

On April 4, 2025, the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s International Student Services office sent Isserdasani an email notifying him that his visa status had been changed and his record in SEVIS—the government’s student visa database system—was terminated. The reason? Months earlier, on November 22, 2024, Isserdasani was arrested after getting in an argument outside a bar. The incident was classified as misdemeanor disorderly conduct. But prosecutors quickly dropped the matter; no formal charges were filed against him, and he was never ordered to appear in court.

For international students, any brush with the law can be serious. But in Isserdasani’s case, there was no criminal case—only an arrest record. Despite this, his student visa was revoked, and he was given no warning or chance to respond before the change took effect. He learned about it only by email after his record had already been terminated.

Court Steps In: Decision from a US Judge

When federal immigration authorities tried to move ahead with deportation, Isserdasani and his lawyers fought back. On April 15, 2025, US federal judge William Conley issued a temporary restraining order to stop the government from detaining or deporting Isserdasani and from taking away his student visa. The US Judge said in his ruling:

“He was given no warning, no opportunity to explain or defend himself, and no chance to correct any potential misunderstanding before his F-1 student visa record was terminated in SEVIS.”

Judge Conley’s order pointed directly to what he saw as a failure of due process rights—that is, the basic rules that require the government to give people a fair chance to hear what they are accused of and respond before taking away important rights or benefits. Due process is a central idea in US law, especially when people could face major life changes, like being forced to leave the country.

What Does the Court Ruling Mean Right Now?

The immediate effect of the judge’s decision is that Isserdasani can stay in the United States 🇺🇸, at least for now. He will be able to attend his graduation if his case is not resolved before then. The temporary restraining order makes it illegal for immigration authorities to detain or deport him, or do anything more to cancel his visa, until a further hearing happens.

This next hearing—a preliminary injunction hearing, where both sides will present their arguments—is scheduled for April 28, 2025. The court wants to decide if the block on deportation should last longer, perhaps for the rest of his studies, or until the legal issues are sorted out fully.

The judge also recognized that forcing Isserdasani out would cause what the court called “irreparable harm.” That means harm that could not be easily repaired or fixed later. Specifically, the judge noted that Isserdasani stood to lose both the value of his years of tuition payments and the degree he had almost finished.

The Broader Situation: Are More Students at Risk?

The case has drawn national attention because it’s not an isolated incident. Since January 2025, as more Trump administration immigration policies were brought back, at least 1,300 international students at schools across the United States 🇺🇸 had their visas revoked. Many of these students were not given warning, and in some cases, the reasons for visa revocation were not shared or very unclear.

• At the University of Wisconsin–Madison 🇺🇸 alone, at least two dozen students have recently lost their visas in similar ways—all without a court conviction or formal charges being pursued by police or prosecutors.

For people who come from outside the United States 🇺🇸 to study, this trend is alarming. They have invested time, hopes, and a lot of money (often paying much higher tuition than US citizens) for the chance to study and possibly work in the country after graduation.

Legal experts, universities, and advocates for international students are now watching this case carefully. It may shape not only how future cases are handled but could also affect how new policies about student visas are written and enforced.

Why Is This Case Important?

Attorneys say this may be the first time a federal court has stepped in to protect an international student after a visa was revoked through a sudden SEVIS update, especially when there were no criminal charges or convictions. SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, the database that the US government uses to keep track of foreign students during their stay.

A ruling in favor of Isserdasani—and possibly other students in similar situations—could change how immigration agencies handle visa revocations. It could mean new rules requiring schools or the government to give more notice before taking away a visa or to hold a hearing before someone is forced out. This would spare students the risk of being unfairly deported over matters that have not been proven in court.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, Isserdasani’s victory may set a new example for how courts will treat sudden SEVIS terminations and unexplained visa revocations going forward.

What Does This Mean for Other International Students?

For people with F-1 visas—by far the most used visa among foreign college and university students in the United States 🇺🇸—this case brings both hope and concern. It shows that federal courts can and will step in if an international student’s fair treatment under the law is at risk. But it also highlights the risk that students, even those with no criminal record or wrongdoing, can suddenly be pushed out of the country based on an arrest or police report that leads to no charges or convictions.

International students are being urged to:

• Keep careful records of all legal matters, school progress, and communications with school officials.
• Consult school advisors or immigration lawyers immediately if notified about any change in visa status.
• Check the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Official Student Visa Information for updates and guidance.

What Does the University of Wisconsin–Madison Say?

The University has not released a detailed statement about Isserdasani’s case, but it appears the International Student Services office contacted him right after the school was made aware of his arrest. Many universities are now calling for more clear rules on when to report students to immigration authorities, and for more power to help students respond to problems before losing their student status.

School leaders at other universities say they’re worried these sudden visa revocations will make the United States 🇺🇸 less popular with foreign students—just when schools are hoping to bring in the best minds from around the world.

Policy and Legal Changes Might Be Ahead

This case is likely to be studied closely, not only by courts but by lawmakers and immigration officers in the coming months. If Judge Conley’s order is made permanent, it could lead to:

• More checks before a student’s visa is revoked, especially when there’s no court case or police charges.
• Rules to give students warning and a fair chance to respond before taking away visas.
• Greater clarity for schools on how and when to report legal problems involving foreign students.

Attorneys representing international students say a ruling for Isserdasani could help all students fighting against harsh or unfair visa actions, especially when these are linked to events where no wrongdoing has been proven.

Reactions and Different Viewpoints

There are several sides to this issue:

• Students and Families: Many are worried that even a small legal problem, or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, could end years of hard work and big investments in their future.
• Universities: School leaders argue that US schools need clear, fair rules so that honest foreign students can complete their studies and add their skills to the country’s workforce.
• Government Officials: Some believe strict enforcement keeps campuses safe, while others point out that helping students finish their degrees brings major benefits to the United States 🇺🇸 and helps the country stay a leader in education.

Key Facts Table

Here’s a simple summary of Isserdasani’s case for quick reference:

What Happens Next?

The most important date coming up is the preliminary injunction hearing on April 28, when the judge will once again look at Isserdasani’s case and decide if he can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 until all legal questions are answered. Everyone watching the case—from students and universities to lawmakers and lawyers—knows that what happens here will help shape the country’s approach to international student visas.

If you are an international student or thinking about studying in the United States 🇺🇸, this case shows how important it is to know your rights, keep up with changes in immigration rules, and speak up quickly if you get a notice about your visa status changing.

For more official information about student visas, processes, and rights, check the US government’s student visa information page.

In Closing

The story of Krish Lal Isserdasani and the actions of a US Judge may prove important not just for him, but also for many other international students facing similar problems. It gives hope that courts will pay attention to fairness and protect against sudden, unexplained decisions that could end a student’s dreams in the United States 🇺🇸. As rules about student visas continue to change, it will be vital for all involved—students, schools, and the public—to watch these cases closely and call for a fair system that keeps the doors of US education open to the world.

Learn Today

F-1 Visa → A nonimmigrant visa allowing international students to study full-time at accredited schools in the United States.
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System; the database tracking foreign students and their visa status in the US.
Due Process → Legal requirement for fair treatment, including notice and opportunity to respond before losing rights or benefits.
Temporary Restraining Order → A court order temporarily preventing an action, such as deportation, until a further legal decision is made.
Visa Revocation → The official cancellation of a visa, making a non-citizen’s stay or activities in the US unlawful.

This Article in a Nutshell

A US judge halted the deportation of Krish Lal Isserdasani, an Indian student whose F-1 visa was revoked suddenly. This decision underscores legal protections for international students, sparking debate on due process and recent visa policy changes affecting over 1,300 students nationwide, especially those facing unclear or unfair revocations.
— By VisaVerge.com

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