In a dramatic policy reversal, the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump has reinstated the student visas of over 1,800 international students whose legal status had been abruptly terminated, following mounting legal challenges and intense public backlash.
The student visas revocation, which affected students across more than 280 U.S. institutions, was widely criticized as draconian and discriminatory, especially after reports emerged that many of the targeted students had committed no serious offenses. Some were reportedly flagged due to prior minor infractions, including driving violations, or for participating in peaceful political demonstrations.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, officials are now working to develop a more transparent and lawful system for reviewing and terminating visas. In a statement to a California federal court, Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth Kurlan confirmed that immigration officials have begun restoring records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the database used to monitor foreign students’ visa compliance.
The Trump-era decision to strip foreign students of their legal status led to over 100 lawsuits filed across the U.S., prompting federal courts to examine the constitutionality of the administration’s actions. Legal experts argued that the terminations violated due process and risked the wrongful deportation of law-abiding students.
“This mass revocation sent shockwaves through academic institutions,” said Elora Mukherjee, director of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School. “For international students, losing SEVIS status doesn’t just threaten their education—it threatens their freedom and future in the U.S.”
Students affected by the termination scrambled to leave the country in a bid to avoid detention, while others went into hiding, unsure of their rights or the status of their appeals.
The original justification for the crackdown, according to then-Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was that the administration would revoke the status of foreign nationals deemed to act “contrary to the interests of the United States.” But critics say the vague definition opened the door for discriminatory targeting based on political expression or minor legal infractions.
“The notion that a traffic ticket could cost a student their visa is absurd and dangerous,” said civil liberties attorney Jeremy Adams, who represents several affected students. “This action undermined trust in the legal immigration system and sowed fear among vulnerable populations.”
While the restoration of student records has been widely welcomed, legal experts caution that the move may not offer lasting protection. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) still holds the authority to terminate SEVIS records for students deemed in violation of immigration laws.
“If a student fails to maintain their nonimmigrant status or engages in other activities deemed unlawful, they remain at risk of removal,” Kurlan told the court.
This lingering uncertainty has prompted fresh calls for legislative reforms to shield international students from administrative overreach and to ensure consistent enforcement of immigration laws.
Universities across the U.S. have expressed relief over the decision to reverse the mass terminations, emphasizing the integral role international students play in academic communities and the economy.
“Foreign students enrich the classroom, drive research, and contribute to our society,” said Dr. Laura Kim, Provost at a leading New York university. “This policy reversal is a positive step, but more needs to be done to restore their confidence in the system.”
Several students also voiced their frustration over the ordeal. “I felt like a criminal for nothing more than attending a protest,” said Rani Deshmukh, an Indian national studying biomedical engineering. “We came here to study, not to be profiled.”
As the legal battles continue, the episode has reignited debate over the treatment of foreign nationals under Trump-era immigration policies. Critics have accused the administration of weaponizing immigration enforcement to suppress dissent and discourage international enrollment.
Economists also warn that such policies may harm the U.S.’s global reputation and competitiveness. “International students contribute billions annually to the U.S. economy,” said Dr. Samir Nwosu, a global education consultant. “Punitive measures like these could drive talent elsewhere—to Canada, the UK, or Australia.”
As of now, student advocacy groups are demanding clearer guidelines and increased oversight to prevent future abuse. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has called for a congressional inquiry into the abrupt visa cancellations.
“The restoration is a start,” said ACLU’s immigration policy director Ava Gomez, “but justice requires accountability and reform.”