The Trump administration is restoring visas for hundreds of foreign students whose legal status was suddenly revoked, sparking widespread fear of deportation, government officials confirmed Friday.
The decision comes after more than 100 lawsuits were filed by affected students who lost their right to study at U.S. universities.
According to a BBC report, Justice Department attorney Elizabeth Kurlan told a federal court in California that immigration officials are working on a new process for reviewing and terminating student visas. The policy change follows reports that around 1,800 students and 280 universities were impacted, according to Inside Higher Ed.
Many of the students whose visas were revoked had either participated in political protests or had prior criminal records involving minor offenses like driving infractions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously announced that the administration would revoke visas for individuals whose actions were considered harmful to U.S. interests.
The sudden visa cancellations caused panic across college campuses, leading some students to leave the U.S. voluntarily to avoid the risk of detention or deportation.
“Losing their SEVIS records left students vulnerable to immigration actions — and possible detention and deportation,” said Elora Mukherjee, director of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School. SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, tracks foreign students’ visa compliance.
The Justice Department announced that students’ SEVIS records would be reinstated. However, Kurlan cautioned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) still has the authority to terminate a student’s record if they fail to maintain their nonimmigrant status or engage in unlawful activities under U.S. immigration law.
Lawyers representing students across the country said many of their clients’ SEVIS records have already been restored. Still, legal advocates warn that the sudden visa terminations disrupted students’ education and violated their rights.
“This is a relief for many students whose status has been reinstated,” Mukherjee said. “But the ordeal is not over for those whose records were permanently terminated.”
The Justice Department and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, foreign students and universities remain on edge as legal battles and policy changes continue.
