Subhechcha Ganguly 
Five international students—three from India and two from China—have filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other immigration authorities, accusing them of unlawfully revoking their F-1 student visas. The students, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), allege that the abrupt action has left them vulnerable to deportation, financial ruin, and academic setbacks.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire, claims the students’ F-1 statuses were “unilaterally and unlawfully terminated,” stripping them of their legal right to study and remain in the United States. As a result, they are now unable to complete their degrees or participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program—a key work opportunity for international students post-graduation.
Indian student Linkhith Babu Gorrela, scheduled to graduate in May, said he will be unable to obtain his degree or begin OPT without valid F-1 status. Fellow Indian students Thanuj Kumar Gummadavelli and Manikanta Pasula also face an uncertain future, with just one semester left in their Master’s programs.
The Chinese students involved, Hangrui Zhang and Haoyang An, face similar challenges. Zhang has lost his sole source of income—his research assistantship—while An may be forced to abandon his studies despite investing over $329,000 in his education in the U.S.
According to the petition, all plaintiffs have complied with visa conditions, maintaining academic progress and avoiding legal violations. However, the government allegedly failed to issue the mandatory notice before terminating their legal status, a move the ACLU argues violates due process and places thousands of international students at risk.
The students are now seeking judicial intervention to reinstate their legal status and prevent irreversible harm to their education and futures.
