Press Release: Reversal of SEVIS Status Terminations Offers Hope to International Students
In a significant shift, the Trump Administration has agreed to restore the SEVIS records of approximately 1,200 international students after numerous lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlighted wrongful terminations of these statuses. Lawyers, including those from the ACLU of New Hampshire, assert that many students unexpectedly lost their legal status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), affecting their ability to work or continue their education.
Gilles Bissonnette, legal director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, noted that the surge in legal challenges has undeniably influenced the government’s decision to reactivate SEVIS records, enabling affected students to resume their studies. National reports estimate roughly 290 students are actively fighting similar terminations in court.
One notable case involves Xiaotian Liu, a Dartmouth PhD student, who faced an abrupt termination of his SEVIS status. Following a federal court hearing, a temporary restraining order was issued to allow Liu to continue his research amid ongoing litigation.
While the DHS clarified that it did not reverse any visa revocations, it restored access to SEVIS for students whose visas remain active. Bissonnette indicates uncertainty remains regarding the criteria for these restorations and their implications for students who have not initiated legal action.
Kelli Stump, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, applauded the changes while stressing the need for ongoing vigilance to prevent similar administrative overreach in the future.
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