Federal attorneys confirm ICE will reinstate student visa statuses after backlash.
The Trump administration has reversed its crackdown on international students’ legal statuses following a wave of court challenges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Kurlan announced in an Oakland courtroom that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would restore the SEVIS records of affected students, keeping them active while a clearer policy is developed.
“ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations,” the statement reads.
The Associated Press reported that roughly 1,200 students were affected, with many forced to leave the U.S., and some reportedly going into hiding. Lawsuits challenged the abrupt terminations, alleging unjustified actions and lack of due process.
“By now it’s obvious that the Trump administration spent the four years of Biden plotting their revenge on the immigration system,” said immigration attorney Jath Shao.
Critics, including Democrats, have called the administration’s actions unconstitutional, framing them as part of a broader push for mass deportations without transparent legal justification.