In a major development offering hope to international students, a federal court in Georgia has issued a temporary order restoring SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records for 133 students, most of whom are Indian nationals. This came after their records were unexpectedly revoked and their student visas invalidated by the US Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
These students pursued legal action, challenging the Trump administration’s crackdown, which they argue unjustly stripped them of legal status by deleting them from the SEVIS database—a system that allows educational institutions to report foreign student data to the government. As per CNN, the legal team acknowledged that while a few students had past interactions with law enforcement, none had criminal convictions.
On April 18, the court issued a temporary restraining order directing that the students’ status be reinstated by April 22. Attorney Charles Kuck confirmed that all impacted students can now resume their studies or join the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program to gain work experience in the U.S.
The Trump administration has faced criticism for targeting thousands of international students, particularly those from India, under seemingly minor infractions. According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), around 4,736 international students have had their SEVIS records revoked by ICE since January 20, 2025. This includes students from China, Nepal, South Korea, and Bangladesh, though the majority are Indian.
Out of 327 individual cases reviewed by AILA, it was revealed that most Indian students were F-1 visa holders currently engaged in OPT—typically in STEM-related fields. The Trump administration reportedly used reasons such as minor traffic violations and technical breaches of university rules to justify these actions.
As the court proceedings continue, the next hearing is expected shortly, with the focus now on ensuring due process and protecting the rights of international students navigating complex immigration rules.
