Subhechcha Ganguly 
Over 1,200 international students across the U.S. who suddenly lost their legal status or had visas revoked are now seeing their status reinstated, following legal pushback and court orders. The Trump administration is walking back the terminations after multiple lawsuits challenged the abrupt removals from the federal SEVIS database, which tracks international student compliance.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had recently terminated student records, leaving many at risk of deportation. Some students said they had only minor infractions or weren’t given reasons for the termination. Others left the country, went into hiding, or stopped attending classes.
A statement filed in court revealed ICE is developing a formal policy regarding SEVIS record terminations. Until then, students involved in lawsuits will have their records reactivated or remain active, regardless of any flagged NCIC (National Crime Information Center) data.
ICE has not reversed any visa revocations, but Homeland Security officials confirmed SEVIS access was restored for students whose visas were still technically valid. Some colleges confirmed the changes, but uncertainty persists.
Legal experts say it remains unclear whether all affected students will have their status restored or if the State Department will act on wrongly revoked visas. Several lawsuits are now being withdrawn, as plaintiffs see their student statuses reinstated.
