In recent weeks, hundreds of international students across the United States have found themselves at risk of deportation following a series of student visa revocations by the federal government. These sudden terminations of legal status have left students, universities, and legal experts scrambling for answers.
The F-1 visa is the most common type of student visa issued by the U.S. government to foreign nationals seeking to study full-time at accredited academic institutions, including colleges, universities, and language training programs. To obtain an F-1 visa, students must demonstrate they have a residence abroad, intend to leave the U.S. after completing their studies, and have sufficient financial resources to cover their expenses.
According to The Associated Press, at least 901 students across more than 128 colleges and universities have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated recently. Many of these students were unaware of any wrongdoing and were caught off guard by the revocations.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the database of student visa holders (SEVIS) from which these students’ records have been deleted, has not issued a comprehensive public explanation. Court filings indicate that status revocations may be linked to criminal background checks. But many affected students report having only minor offenses or even dismissed charges on record.
Several affected students have turned to the courts for relief. Judges in at least seven states, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and the District of Columbia, have issued emergency orders to prevent actions against students. In some cases, students had speeding or parking tickets, while at least one had nothing on their record, though they were told their status had been terminated because of a “criminal records check and/or that their visa was revoked.”
U.S. District Judge William Conley in Wisconsin found that the government’s action against one student was likely unlawful, stating that there was no indication the student was undeserving of his degree or should be deported. In Montana, U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen issued a temporary restraining order on behalf of two students who had no criminal convictions and were not involved in political protests.
Lawyers for the affected students say they did not receive any notice to appear in immigration court on a certain date, something foreign students subject to removal proceedings can usually expect. Some schools have advised students to leave the country to avoid being deported or detained.
Additional Reading
Visa cancellations sow panic for international students, with hundreds fearing deportation, AP News (April 16, 2025)
Foreign students in US mount court challenges as Trump ends their legal status, Reuters (April 16, 2025)
F-1 Visas for Foreign National Students at Academic Institutions, Justia
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