In a glimmer of hope for several international students, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun reinstating SEVIS records for Indian students whose student visas were recently revoked due to minor infractions, such as speeding tickets or dismissed misdemeanors. This relief follows mounting pressure from lawsuits and emergency court orders, which have successfully halted some visa terminations.
One such student, a 20-year-old from Bengaluru studying engineering in the U.S., recalled the moment of relief as he received the unexpected news on April 24 that his SEVIS status had been reactivated after nearly three weeks of uncertainty. His record had been terminated on April 4 following a drunk driving charge that didn’t lead to a conviction, according to Indian Express.
“I couldn’t believe it. I was just about to file a lawsuit. And then it got reactivated. No reason given,” said the third-year student, whose future in the U.S. had been hanging in the balance. “For now, I’m relieved… but I’m still scared. If this hadn’t happened, I would probably have had to leave everything midway and go back home,” according to Indian Express,
Across the U.S., more Indian students, who had faced similar visa challenges, have experienced similar relief. Several students, who were on the verge of legal battles, have seen their statuses restored without filing lawsuits.
The U.S. Justice Department revealed at a court hearing on Friday that DHS is working on a new system to review and terminate international student records, with a temporary suspension on all recent SEVIS terminations. The announcement has prompted the restoration of several international students’ legal statuses.
This development comes amid a larger crackdown by the U.S. government on what it terms “illegal immigrants,” which has disproportionately affected international students on F-1 visas. In fact, nearly 50% of the 327 international students whose U.S. visas were revoked this year were from India, a country that has consistently had the highest number of international students in the U.S. Indian students accounted for 29% of the 11.26 lakh international students enrolled during the 2023-24 academic year, according to data from Open Doors.
Chand Parvathaneni, an immigration attorney based in Texas, confirmed that reinstatements are taking place, but that they are still uneven. “It seems to have started for those who had their SEVIS records revoked due to minor violations,” he said. “The government may be moving towards a more case-by-case approach, where terminations are reserved for serious violations, not small infractions.”
Among the students reinstated is a 31-year-old pursuing Information Systems and Technology in Delaware. His SEVIS record had been deactivated following a DUI arrest last year. “I had taken a loan to study here, and my SEVIS was deactivated on April 4. I was scared and didn’t tell my family anything,” he shared. “My friends encouraged me to fight it, and before I could file a lawsuit, my SEVIS was reactivated. I’m relieved, but the fear remains.”
For others, the reinstatements have been the result of direct legal action. A 24-year-old student from Telangana, pursuing a Master’s in Information Technology at Saint Louis University, had filed a lawsuit after his F-1 visa was revoked over a speeding violation during his learner’s permit phase. After securing a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), he also saw his SEVIS status restored.
“It’s a huge relief. I can stay for my exams now,” said the student. “But the anxiety is still there. I did everything legally—went to court, got my license—and still ended up here. If my SEVIS hadn’t been restored, I don’t even know if I would’ve graduated.”
Experts believe that the rising number of lawsuits challenging visa revocations may have prompted the U.S. government to reassess its approach. “When a lawsuit is filed, the court typically issues temporary restraining orders to prevent immediate harm to the student while the case progresses,” explained Parvathaneni. “Given the large number of lawsuits now pending, the government may be re-evaluating its approach and reactivating more SEVIS records, especially for minor violations.”
In Michigan, a 26-year-old student pursuing a Master’s in Data Science shared his experience of a similar TRO. “At least I have a fighting chance now. If my SEVIS hadn’t been restored, I would have lost everything. The project I was working on was lost, and we’re still uncertain about whether our employers will take us back,” he said.
Despite the positive updates for some students, the uncertainty remains for many others. Immigration experts stress that students must continue checking their SEVIS portals and liaise with Designated School Officials (DSOs) to resolve any issues.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has also confirmed the reinstatements, but added that these are only happening for students whose visa records were terminated due to minor infractions and not due to involvement in political protests.
While DHS has not officially commented on specific cases, the temporary relief for students has brought some hope during a tumultuous period for many. However, as more students wait for updates on their status, the fear and anxiety about their future in the U.S. remain pervasive.
For now, the reinstatement of SEVIS records marks a positive shift, but the journey for international students seeking clarity and stability in the U.S. immigration system is far from over.