Retaliating to the ongoing revocation of student visas, many international students have challenged the decision. In a lawsuit filed against the Department of Homeland Security, students have questioned the justification to cancel their visas or terminate their legal status in the country.
For the unaware, the US Government under President Donald Trump last week sent out letters to hundreds of international students, asking them to self deport. As per the news, over 500 student visas were cancelled last week, with many students asked to leave the country with immediate effect or face deportation.
While the visas were revoked by the State department, the US Department of Homeland Security initiated ‘status termination’. Under the same, affected students are required to exit the US and the reapply for their visas.
The action sent shockwaves through the international student communities, with many students panicking over the possibility of action on their student visas. It may be pointed out that among the reasons cited for revocation of visa were participation of students in protest activities at the campus, ‘antisemitic’ activities, social media posts supporting such activities and even minor traffic infractions.
In response to the action, international students have now filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the revocation of their student visas. Universities have also stepped up in support of such students, calling the cancellations ‘purposefully’ targeting a certain section of students.
Universities Stand in Support of Students
What started with the top universities like Harvard, Columbia and Stanford has now extended to include even state universities including University of Michigan, Ohio State University and more. Universities have raised concerns over the action and have offered all assistance to the international students enrolled.
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Worried about the action, many universities have now asked students to avoid travelling out of the country, fearing detention or questioning at the time of re-entry. Many universities have also asked students to be carry their papers on them at all times.
As many as 16 university associations have formally requested the Departments of Homeland Security and State for clarity on the cases. Citing possibility of mistaken identity or administrative error, the varsities have sought instructions on how to appear or verify the decisions.
Multiple Lawsuits Filed
Following the seemingly arbitrary action of the DHS, several lawsuits have been filed in federal courts of Georgia, California and Michigan, challenging the decisions to cancel the student visas.
Attorneys in the lawsuits have mentioned that the action is a simple indication of the administration’s ‘nationwide policy of mass termination of student legal status’ and challenged the justifications offered. Michelle Mittelstadt, Director of Public Affairs at Migration Policy Institute has said that this is a greater scrutiny on immigration by the current administration.
Meanwhile, with the new session starting in a few months, students who have already received their offer of acceptance and started their visa process are worried. The changing dynamics in the US has raised concerns of thousands of Indian students who are planning to study in USA starting September. With possible delay in student visa processing, consultants have asked students to begin the visa formalities at the earliest.