ICE Ordered to Reinstate Legal Status of Over 100 Students

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published Apr 22, 2025 at 3:58 AM EDT | Updated Apr 22, 2025 at 5:03 AM EDT


A federal judge has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to restore the legal status of 133 students stripped of their F-1 visas and left facing deportation. Judge Victoria M. Calvert of Georgia's Northern District issued a temporary restraining order on Friday against the Trump Administration to stop it from taking the visas away from the students. The order will last 14 days. The Trump administration has until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, to restore the visas.

"The Constitution protects everyone on American soil, so the Trump administration cannot ignore due process to unjustifiably threaten students with the loss of immigration status, and arrest and deportation," said a statement from Akiva Freidlin, senior staff Attorney at the ACLU-Georgia, which brought the lawsuit. "We believe this ruling shows the students are likely to prevail on their claims and we are pleased the court ordered the government to halt its unlawful actions while the lawsuit continues."

Why It Matters

Immigration remains a central focus of Trump's policy platform. The White House has started revoking visas for international students accused of participating in pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses. The move follows Executive Order 14188, signed in early 2025, which targets antisemitism. Critics, however, argue that the order is being used to suppress free speech, pointing to visa cancellations linked to students involved in protests or the distribution of flyers.

What To Know

The lawsuit argued that by terminating the records, ICE is effectively stripping students of their legal status and rendering them subject to deportation. "DHS's act of unlawfully terminating SEVIS records appears to be designed to coerce students, including each Plaintiff, into abandoning their studies and 'self-deporting' despite not violating their status," the lawsuit reads.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/ice-ordered-reinstate-legal-status-over-100-students-2062381

---

These students are a subset of the over 1000 who have reportedly had their visas revoked. Different suits have been filed in different jurisdictions to cover students living/working/going to school in those jurisdicitons.

REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143442709

[CountAllVotes]

1. K&R

& recommend.

[GAdem2016]

2. So much winning.

[Marthe48]

3. I volunteered for a h.s. student exchange organization

Last edited Tue Apr 22, 2025, 12:43 PM - Edit history (1)

from 1995-2024. The program evolved the entire time I volunteered. The organization has been around since 1914 and has a remarkable history that plainly shows its dedication to peace and understanding. In the 90s, the organization had conferences to explore becoming more diverse, not just extending further from Europe and S.A. to Africa and Asia, but finding ways to include American students of all races, cultures and identity. After the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, they also started working with Middle East countries, and countries that were predominantly Muslim, to promote peace and understanding between Muslim countries and secular countries (sorry, I can't think of a better description of our differences). My organization has partnered with other exchange programs, especially programs that focus on learning languages. The h.s. exchange programs in general promote peace and understanding, cultural exchange, diversity and respect. There are many exchange programs, and they are evaluated by an organization called CSIET and monitored by the State Department. As a volunteer, I had to re-certify every year and have a background check. Part of re-certifying was getting vetted by the State Department for my role, making sure I was up-to-date on their rules and regulations. Everyone who had contact with the students had to go through getting certified, interviewed, background checked, so the students and host families understood the experience they were going to undertake.

The h.s. programs have been in jeopardy before, mostly funding. This is a different kind of attack on student and cultural exchange. On a personal level, I have been changed and my life is better for having the experience of hosting and volunteering. My community is a better place, and this country is a better place for hosting students and showing them life in America. If the U.S. ends this particular method of cultural exchange, we will lose a very personal method of making friends across the world. I know several students who participated in exchanges, either Americans who studied abroad, or students who lived in the U.S. and went to school here, who have made successful careers based on language translation, international education and international business. People who choose this path in life are exceptional. If America decides to bow out of cultural exchange at any or all levels, you can bet other countries will not, because the experience and the people driving the experience are invaluable assets to any country that participates.

The exchange programs are entwined with respect and diversity. I want those qualities in my life, and I want my country to continue to embrace them.

[wyn borkins]

4. So Very-Well Stated...Thank You Marthe48

You have accomplished much in the service of others.

I am certain you are as much appreciated as you are exceptional.

I hope the U.S. can continue to fund the exchange programs you noted.

[Marthe48]

5. Thank you

Being involved in AFS was a huge part of my life. I don't think it's possible to give back what I got.

[littlemissmartypants]

6. Thank you, Marthe48. ❤️