Legal Victories Offer Temporary Relief for International Students in the US Amid Crackdown
In recent weeks, a growing number of international students in the United States have seen their legal status abruptly terminated, upending their education and threatening their future in the country.
However, many are beginning to win temporary relief in court as federal judges issue orders restoring their immigration status.
Anjan Roy, a graduate student in computer science from Bangladesh, was blindsided by an email notifying him that his visa had been revoked. “I was in literal shock, like, what the hell is this?” he recalled.
He withdrew from public life, skipped classes, and kept his phone turned off out of fear. After a federal judge ruled in his favor, Roy’s legal status was reinstated—at least for now—but he still lives cautiously, asking his roommates to screen anyone who knocks on their door.
Roy is just one of over 1,100 students whose visas or statuses have been revoked since late March, based on data gathered from university reports and court filings. These terminations have affected students at 174 institutions across the country.
Related: Foreign students in US Face Legal Uncertainty Amid Visa Revocations
Legal Pushback and Government Justifications Collide
The legal challenges mounted by these students are gaining some traction. Roy is a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed in Atlanta involving 133 students.
Judges in states such as New Hampshire, Oregon, Wisconsin, Montana, and Washington have granted temporary restraining orders, while other courts have denied relief, citing a lack of evidence for long-term harm.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the crackdown, stating that visas are being canceled for those deemed to act against U.S. national interests—including individuals involved in protests over the Gaza conflict or facing criminal allegations.
Still, many affected students argue they were never involved in serious wrongdoing, with some saying they weren’t told why their status was revoked at all.
Charles Kuck, an attorney representing several students, argued in court that the terminations are baseless and aimed at pressuring students to leave the country voluntarily.
“The pressure on these students is overwhelming,” he said. “I think the hope is they’ll just leave. The reality is these kids are invested.”
Meanwhile, U.S. government lawyer R. David Powell contended that the students haven’t faced major hardship, suggesting they could continue their education elsewhere or pursue work abroad.
The personal toll remains profound. A lawsuit filed by students at the University of Iowa describes mental health crises, including severe anxiety and depression.
One Chinese undergraduate said his mental health deteriorated so significantly that his medication dosage had to be increased.
Roy, who started at Missouri State University in 2024 and hoped to complete a master’s degree by 2026, is now uncertain about his future.
Though a recent ruling restored his student status temporarily, a further hearing will determine whether he can stay. For now, he’s returned to class, but his long-term plans—and peace of mind—are still in limbo.
Read on: Harvard Faces Potential Ban on Enrolling Foreign Students Amid Federal Demands