Key Takeaways
• Five students from India and China sued Trump administration after sudden F-1 visa cancellations, citing due process violations.
• Lawsuit filed in New Hampshire with ACLU’s support seeks reversal of cancellations and protection from deportation or detention.
• Losing F-1 visas disrupts graduation, OPT eligibility, and financial stability for Indian and Chinese students in the U.S.
Three Indian students and two Chinese students recently joined together to sue the Trump administration in a federal court. They are challenging the sudden and unexpected cancellation of their F-1 student visas. This legal step highlights the ongoing challenges faced by international students in the United States 🇺🇸, especially those coming from India 🇮🇳 and China 🇨🇳. According to reports, this move is a direct answer to what many see as harsh immigration actions under the Trump administration, which they say have deeply affected the lives and studies of foreign students.
The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court in New Hampshire. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is representing the five students—three from India 🇮🇳 and two from China 🇨🇳. These students attend Rivier University in New Hampshire and Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts.
What Happened?
The main reason for the lawsuit is the sudden cancellation of the students’ F-1 visas by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The F-1 visa is a type of student visa, which allows international students to study full-time at US colleges and universities. The five students claim that their legal student status was cancelled all at once and without warning. They say this happened to not just them, but “hundreds, if not thousands” of other foreign students as well.
For the students, this unexpected action brought their lives to a halt. Without their F-1 visas, they risk being forced to leave the United States 🇺🇸 at any time. For students like Linkhith Babu Gorrela, who was supposed to graduate soon, everything is now on hold. For others, like Hangrui Zhang, it also meant losing their only source of income. The financial and emotional threat is very real for these students and their families.
Why Are the Students Taking Legal Action?
The students believe the Trump administration crossed the line by taking away their F-1 student visas suddenly, without any warning and without letting them explain their side of the story. The lawsuit claims that the DHS did not follow its own rules, which usually require notice and a chance for students to respond before cancelling a visa.
The five students say they all:
- Had good grades and were in good standing at their universities.
- Did not work without permission.
- Did not break any immigration rules.
- Did not have any criminal records.
Still, they lost their F-1 visa status without any warning or chance to fix a possible problem. They argue that this is unfair and breaks the rules of how such important decisions are supposed to be handled.
Impact on Indian Students and Chinese Students
This case is extra important because Indian students and Chinese students together make up the largest groups of international students in the United States 🇺🇸. Together, they account for more than half a million students. Many of these students depend on their F-1 visas not just to study, but also to work in related fields after graduation through a program called Optional Practical Training (or “OPT”). Losing their F-1 status blocks them from getting their degree or starting their OPT job after graduation.
Here’s how this has affected each student named in the lawsuit:
- Manikanta Pasula (Indian): Has only one semester left. Without his F-1 visa, he might not earn his degree and cannot begin OPT work.
- Linkhith Babu Gorrela (Indian): Had his graduation blocked due to the visa loss. Also, cannot join OPT.
- Thanuj Kumar Gummadavelli (Indian): Like Pasula, has only one semester left; both his degree and OPT dreams are in trouble.
- Hangrui Zhang (Chinese): Lost his research assistant job, the only way he could earn money as a student.
- Haoyang An (Chinese): Risks losing $329,196—the full value of his education in the United States 🇺🇸—if forced to return home before finishing his course.
When the F-1 visa ends, it’s not just grades or schooling at risk. These students face the threat of being detained or deported. That means being removed from the United States 🇺🇸 and possibly banned from returning. For the students and their families, the fear is not just about lost money, but dreams put on hold—or broken altogether.
What Are the Students Asking the Court to Do?
Through their lawsuit, the students and the ACLU are asking the court for two big things:
- Turn back the visa cancellations: They want the government to give them their F-1 visa status back so they can continue their studies and, for some, start their work experience as planned.
- Stop deportations and detentions: The students also want the court to block the government from detaining or forcing them out of the United States 🇺🇸 just because their visa status was cancelled with no warning.
If the students win, all affected international students could finish their programs and not lose their chance for work training after graduation. If they lose, many students—especially those from India 🇮🇳 and China 🇨🇳—could see their futures in the United States 🇺🇸 cut short, even if they did nothing wrong.
Historical and Legal Background
The Trump administration became known for tough actions on immigration matters. International students, especially those on F-1 visas, sometimes felt like easy targets for new rules and sudden changes. During Trump’s second term, there was a wider move to cancel thousands of foreign student visas.
The legal argument in this case points to the idea of “due process.” In simple words, it means everyone has the right to be told in advance if something important (like a visa) will be taken away. They should get a fair chance to explain themselves before a final decision is made.
The students claim that the DHS broke these basic rules. The ACLU’s complaint says, “Their graduation is unpredictable and unlikely unless this Court intervenes.” In other words, unless the court steps in, the students’ future is very uncertain.
The Bigger Picture—Why This Matters
Why should you care about this lawsuit? If you’re a current or future international student, this case could shape how the United States 🇺🇸 treats foreign students for years to come. F-1 visas allow many overseas students to study in some of the world’s best universities. Losing such opportunities would hurt not just the students, but also the universities that welcome them, the companies that hire them after graduation, and the friendships built across borders.
International students—especially from India 🇮🇳 and China 🇨🇳—pay billions of dollars to US 🇺🇸 schools every year. They fill research labs, study halls, and job openings that might otherwise go empty. Their hard work and ideas help keep the United States 🇺🇸 ahead in science, technology, and business. This lawsuit could decide how open—or closed—the United States 🇺🇸 will be to these students in the future.
Impacts for Stakeholders
Indian students and Chinese students are now paying close attention to what happens next. If courts rule that the DHS must give back F-1 visa status for students who have not broken any rules, it will set a strong example for treating foreign students fairly. But if the court says the Trump administration’s actions were legal, it could make some students think twice about studying in the United States 🇺🇸.
Universities also face uncertainty. If more international students lose their F-1 visa status or are afraid of sudden rule changes, schools might see a drop in overseas applications. This would mean less money, fewer ideas from around the world, and smaller campuses. US schools depend on international students for more than just tuition—they help create strong campuses where different people learn from each other.
Employers in the United States 🇺🇸 may also feel the effects. Many top companies want to hire international graduates, especially in fields like technology and engineering. If F-1 students cannot stay for Optional Practical Training, companies might lose out on talented new workers.
Current Immigration Climate
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the United States 🇺🇸 has seen more scrutiny and sudden changes for people on visas in the last several years. International students, especially those from India 🇮🇳 and China 🇨🇳, are often at the center of these debates because their numbers are so large. The case against the Trump administration shows how the rules can change quickly and without warning.
The ACLU’s class-action lawsuit is important for all who want to know what will happen to F-1 student visas and those who rely on them. It brings up questions like:
- Will American laws protect international students if they follow all the rules?
- How quickly can the government change policies that affect thousands of lives?
- What will happen to higher education in the United States 🇺🇸 if overseas students stop coming?
What’s Next?
The lawsuit is ongoing in the federal court. It could take months—or longer—before a final decision is made. For now, affected students have to wait and hope the court acts quickly.
If you are an international student in the United States 🇺🇸, it’s more important than ever to keep your records up to date, watch for any government notices, and know your rights. Questions about immigration and visas should be brought up with trusted school officials or legal advisors right away. If you want to see the latest updates on your F-1 student visa status or how recent rules might affect you, you can get official and reliable information directly from the U.S. Department of State’s Student Visa webpage.
Summary
In simple terms, this lawsuit shows the real life problems when immigration rules change suddenly or aren’t followed the right way. Indian students and Chinese students are leading this fight, not just for themselves but for thousands of others who might be in the same position someday. The outcome could decide what the United States 🇺🇸 expects from its international students, and what those students can expect in return. The world is watching, and the results of this case may shape the future for F-1 visas and international education in America.
If you are affected, stay informed and seek out help when needed. Understanding how these changes may impact you today can help you plan for tomorrow. For continued coverage and deeper analysis on this subject, VisaVerge.com remains a trusted resource on US immigration stories involving Indian students, F-1 visa questions, and updates around decisions made by the Trump administration.
Learn Today
F-1 Visa → A nonimmigrant visa allowing international students to study full-time at accredited U.S. colleges and universities.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → A U.S. government agency responsible for immigration enforcement, including visa issuance and cancellations.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) → A program allowing F-1 students to work in their field of study in the U.S. after graduation.
Due Process → A legal principle ensuring individuals receive notice and an opportunity to respond before adverse actions are taken.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) → A nonprofit organization defending individual rights and liberties through legal action in the United States.
This Article in a Nutshell
A landmark lawsuit by three Indian and two Chinese students challenges abrupt F-1 visa cancellations by the Trump administration. The case, backed by the ACLU, underscores rising uncertainties for international students, threatening their studies, work opportunities, and futures in the United States. The outcome may shape future immigration policies for students everywhere.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Indian students face half of all F-1 visa revocations say reports
• UCSD students face F-1 visa terminations and deportation
• F-1 visa scrutiny rises, causing concern for international students
• F-1 Visa Revocations Challenge International Students Across US
• California Student Challenges DHS Over F-1 Visa Policy
