After the Trump administration abruptly revoked thousands of student visas, three Indian and two Chinese students in the United States filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and other immigration officials.
Students have accused DHS of “unilaterally terminating the F1 student status of hundreds, if not thousands, of international students.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed the lawsuit against the Trump administration on behalf of the students before the US District Court in New Hampshire. The lawsuit claimed that the “unilateral and unlawful termination” of the F-1 status of the petitioners have put them out of lawful student status.
“The lawsuit asks the court to reinstate the status of these students so that they will be able to complete their studies and avoid facing the risk of detention and deportation,” the ACLU said in a statement.
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Indian student Linkhith Babu Gorrela, currently enrolled in a master’s program, says he may not be able to graduate on May 20 as planned. With his F1 visa status abruptly revoked, he cannot receive his degree or apply for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international students to work in the US after graduation.
Two other Indian students, Thanuj Kumar Gummadavelli and Manikanta Pasula, are also at risk. With just one semester left to complete their degrees and begin OPT, they fear their academic futures are now in jeopardy unless the court steps in.
Chinese student Hangrui Zhang has lost his research assistantship — his only source of income — following the visa cancellation. Meanwhile, Haoyang An, another Chinese student, faces the possibility of abandoning his studies entirely despite having already spent over $329,000 on his education in the US.
In their lawsuit, the students argue they have complied fully with visa requirements, remained in good academic standing, avoided unauthorised employment, and have no disqualifying criminal history. They are now asking the court to intervene and restore their legal status before their futures are permanently derailed.
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