The University announced the restoration of the visa status of one current University student and two recent alumnus Monday following a series of student lawsuits and court orders in 23 states. The Department of Justice announced Friday that Immigration and Customs Enforcements will reinstate all international student visas which were abruptly terminated under the Trump Administration.
According to a statement from University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover, the University learned of the visa terminations of the current student and two alumni April 4. The two alumni were a part of the Optional Practical Training program which allows eligible international students to work in the United States part-time or full-time in their field of study for up to 12 months following graduation.
This visa cancellation resulted in the termination of their status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System — an online information system that monitors international visitors who have been granted approval to participate in the U.S. education system — putting these three individuals at risk of detention or deportation.
As of Sunday, the visa status of these three individuals has been reinstated in SEVIS. According to Glover, this reinstatement is a direct result of the announcement of the DOJ to overturn student visa revocations pending the development of a new criteria by ICE.
According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Trump administration has cancelled approximately 4,700 student visas across the country since March. According to the University webpage addressing federal changes under the Trump administration, many of these visa cancellations were the result of minor legal infractions and lawful activities believed to “undermine” the federal government.
“Students and faculty at American universities have had their visas and immigration status cancelled or been detained and threatened with deportation on the basis of past legal infractions, including minor offenses, and activities that the federal government believes undermine U.S. foreign policy,” the webpage says.
Over 200 students whose status was removed from SEVIS successfully sued the Trump administration in recent weeks for failure to uphold the Due Process Clause which states that the government cannot deny any individual the right to life, liberty or property without fair legal proceedings.
The DOJ reversed the cancellation of over 1,200 student visas Friday in response to the judicial backlash. According to an article from Politico, the termination of SEVIS records of international students based on misdemeanor charges has been temporarily halted as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement works on a new policy regarding international student visas.
Glover said that the University will continue to monitor changing federal policies related to student visas and will track students’ statuses in SEVIS.
“We will alert any affected student to any future changes in their status and offer all appropriate support,” Glover said.
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