At the heart of the lawsuit is a memo issued by ICE, which states that if the DOS revokes an F-1 student visa, it automatically leads to the termination of the student’s record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students allege that this memo represents a new and unlawful policy that contradicts existing immigration regulations and should have gone through the mandatory notice-and-comment process required for changes of this nature. Under existing rules, international students are permitted to remain in the US for the duration of their academic programs, plus an additional 60-day grace period after completion to prepare for departure, apply for further study, or transition to a work visa. The new ICE interpretation removes this grace period upon SEVIS termination, requiring immediate departure and leaving students with no opportunity to appeal or adjust their immigration status.
Students argue that this blanket approach to visa revocation and SEVIS termination strips them of their legal rights and protections. They assert that a visa revocation by the DOS should not, under the law, impact a student's lawful status in the US. However, the practical outcome of this policy has been devastating. According to the complaint, affected students have lost access to academic institutions, have been barred from legally working or applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT), and are unable to transition to other valid immigration statuses. This abrupt disruption has had life-altering consequences, particularly for those who had invested years in their education and were actively contributing to the academic and economic life of the US.
One of the attorneys representing the student plaintiffs emphasized the lack of transparency and judicial oversight in the visa revocation process. He stated that the DOS could revoke a student visa for undefined or minor reasons, offering no explanation or opportunity for the affected individual to challenge the decision. He added that the Trump administration, under whose policy changes this framework was put into effect, is relying on the argument that DOS decisions are not subject to judicial review. This has left many students in a legal limbo, deprived of the due process that should be guaranteed under US law.
The lawsuit brings attention to a broader concern over how immigration enforcement policies can be enacted and applied without proper oversight or accountability. By terminating SEVIS records based on visa revocations, ICE effectively nullifies the immigration status of students without individualized assessment or legal recourse. This practice, the students claim, turns administrative decisions into automatic grounds for removal, which is inconsistent with principles of fairness and legal protection.
For many of the Indian students involved, the impact is particularly severe. India is one of the largest sources of international students in the US, and many come with significant financial investments from their families, high academic achievements, and aspirations to contribute to the workforce after graduation. The sudden termination of their legal status has resulted in not only academic and financial loss but also emotional distress and uncertainty regarding their future.
As this class action moves through the legal system, it will test the boundaries of immigration policy and administrative power. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for thousands of current and future international students who rely on transparent and lawful procedures to maintain their legal standing in the US. The case highlights the urgent need for clearer immigration guidelines and stronger procedural safeguards, especially in an era where the consequences of a revoked visa can extend far beyond a passport stamp, affecting careers, livelihoods, and lives.
