The students, many close to graduation, were removed from the SEVIS database without notice or explanation.
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate F-1 student visas for 133 international students by 5 p.m. Tuesday, after their legal status was abruptly revoked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The students, many close to graduation, were removed from the SEVIS database without notice or explanation. “Plaintiffs are likely to show that Defendants’ termination of the SEVIS registration exceeds the bounds of statutory and regulatory authority and is therefore unlawful,” wrote U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Calvert.
The ACLU filed the lawsuit in Georgia, naming officials including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Director Todd Lyons. The judge ruled the revocations violated the Administrative Procedure Act and Fifth Amendment rights.
“The Constitution protects everyone on American soil,” said ACLU attorney Akiva Freidlin.
The case advances to a preliminary injunction hearing on April 24, potentially extending protections beyond the emergency order. DOJ responses remain sealed.