Featured Issues

Featured Issue: Actions Targeting International Students

4/7/25 AILA Doc. No. 25040706. Students & Schools
This featured issue page brings together information, updates, and resources related to the Trump Administration’s targeting of international students with or without a history of protest for visa revocation, termination of their status, and removal.
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Agency Memos & Announcements

Presidential Proclamation on Foreign Student Visas at Harvard University

Presidential proclamation issued 6/4/25 suspending the entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University. DOS Secretary may also revoke the visas of current Harvard students on a case-by-case basis.

Practice Resources

Updated Practice Alert: DOS Social Media Vetting and Revocation of Student Visas

AILA’s DOS Liaison Committee provides an updated practice alert on media reports of DOS cables directing consular officers to increase social media vetting of student visas, as well as related updates to the FAM.

5/30/25 AILA Doc. No. 25040201. Consular Processing, Students & Schools
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DOS Secretary Announces Visa Revocation for Chinese Students

DOS Secretary Marco Rubio announced that DOS will work with DHS to revoke visas for Chinese students, including those "with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields" and revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of future visa applications from China and Hong Kong.

5/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25052913. Students & Schools
Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DHS to Terminate Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program Certification

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ordered DHS to terminate the Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification. Termination would mean that Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status.

5/22/25 AILA Doc. No. 25052703. Students & Schools
Examples & Questions

Call for Examples: Restoration of International Student SEVIS Records and Visas

AILA received reports of the government reinstating the SEVIS records and reports of visas previously revoked being reinstated by DOS. AILA is seeking to collect updated information on these issues. Data collected will be used for advocacy and litigation purposes.

5/7/25 AILA Doc. No. 25050701. Students & Schools
Practice Resources

New SEVIS Notice: Policy Regarding Termination of Records

DHS has been sending notices of a policy change regarding their recent SEVIS records terminations. Attached is a copy of the new policy members have had sent to them.

4/30/25 AILA Doc. No. 25043003. Students & Schools
Press Releases

AILA President Welcomes ICE’s Reversal of Student Visa Terminations

AILA President Kelli Stump welcomed news that due to litigation efforts by myriad AILA members and organizations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reinstating international students’ records.

4/25/25 AILA Doc. No. 25042504.
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: Students Terminated SEVIS Records Restored by ICE SEVP

On April 24, 2025, AILA members began reporting that terminated SEVIS records of international students were being affirmatively restored by ICE SEVP.

4/25/25 AILA Doc. No. 25042561. Students & Schools
AILA Announcements

Take Action: Urge Congress to Demand Accountability from the Trump Administration on the Revocation of Student Visas

The Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are targeting international students for visa revocation, termination of their status, and removal. Take Action by urging Congress to demand accountability and transparency from DOS and ICE on their targeting of international students.

4/22/25 AILA Doc. No. 25042207. Students & Schools
Tutorial Videos

Video: Understanding Terminations of International Student Visa Status

In this short video, Kerry Doyle, former Principal Legal Advisor to ICE, and AILA member Dan Berger discuss what we know about terminations of international student visas and status. (Note: This video is not intended as individual legal advice. To find a lawyer, visit www.ailalawyer.com.)

4/22/25 AILA Doc. No. 25042300. Students & Schools
Immigration News

CNN News18: 4,700 Students Targeted in U.S. by ICE, Half Are Indian

CNN News18 features an interview with AILA Senior Director of Government Relations Sharvari Dalal-Dheini about the recent surge in U.S. student visa revocations.

Immigration News

CNN: Lawsuits Seek to Restore Dozens of Foreign Students' Legal Status amid Targeting by Immigration Authorities

CNN reports on lawsuits alleging that the Trump Administration unlawfully stripped scores of foreign students of their legal status. Some students have brought individual cases, and at least two federal lawsuits aim to represent large swaths of students at once.

Sample Briefs

Sample: Motion for TRO and Expedited Preliminary Injunction in Case Challenging F-1 Students' SEVIS Termination

Sample motion for temporary restraining order (TRO) and expedited preliminary injunction in a case challenging the terminations of SEVIS records for F-1 nonimmigrant students. Special thanks to Charles H. Kuck for sample. (Motion for Injunctive Relief)

AILA Doc. No. 25041736. Students & Schools
Practice Resources

Affidavit of ICE Regarding SEVIS Visa Revocation

An affidavit of Andre Watson, Assistant Director, National Security Division for Homeland Security Investigations detailing the authority to terminate nonimmigrant status by terminating a SEVIS record.

AILA Doc. No. 25041738. Students & Schools
Policy Briefs

Policy Brief: The Scope of Immigration Enforcement Actions Against International Students

Policy brief dives into the data to paint a picture of the of the arbitrary nature of these visa revocations and SEVIS terminations.

4/17/25 AILA Doc. No. 25041643. Students & Schools
Immigration News

Bloomberg Law: Lawsuits Over Foreign Students' Status Find Solid Legal Footing

Bloomberg Law reports on a slew of lawsuits filed in the past two weeks arguing that DHS unilaterally removed dozens of students from a database tracking compliance with student visa programs, effectively canceling their legal status.

Sample Briefs

Sample: Complaint under APA Challenging Terminations of F-1 Students' SEVIS Records

Sample complaint requesting relief under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) in a case challenging the terminations of SEVIS records for F-1 nonimmigrant students. Special thanks to Charles H. Kuck for sample. (Complaint, Amendment, Other Pleading)

4/11/25 AILA Doc. No. 25041735. Students & Schools
Policy Briefs

Policy Brief: Immigration Enforcement Actions Against International Students

This policy brief explains how student visas differ from other nonimmigrant visa types, explores the legal pathways to revoking and terminating a student visa, and explains the due process protections that are available.

4/8/25 AILA Doc. No. 25040804. Students & Schools
Practice Resources

AILA Members' Template for F1 Student Habeas Petition

This is a template for an F-1 student status Habeas Corpus petition. Please customize and use this template to file similar complaints. Please see AILA's recent "Call for Examples: Student Visa Revocations & Terminations" post requesting specific examples of F-1 revocations and terminations.

4/7/25 AILA Doc. No. 25040702. Students & Schools
Practice Resources

Practice Alert: SEVIS Records of International Students Being Terminated by ICE

AILA and partners have received reports of international students having their SEVIS record terminated by ICE Student Exchange Visitor Program. The checklist provided supports work attorney's are already doing while continuing to review all DHS-initiated SEVIS terminations.

4/7/25 AILA Doc. No. 25040704. Students & Schools
Press Releases

AILA: Trump Dragnet Widens to Unconstitutional Targeting of People with Visas

AILA President and Executive Director respond to Trump Administration’s targeting of lawful visa holders, including students and researchers, in this press statement urging Congressional action “to provide oversight and end this abuse of power.”

4/7/25 AILA Doc. No. 25040709.
Examples & Questions

Call for Examples: Student Visa Revocations & Terminations

AILA is looking for specific examples of individuals who have had their student visa's revoked and SEVIS records terminated. Please complete the survey below. Your response will be collected and reviewed by AILA.

4/7/25 AILA Doc. No. 25040700. Detention & Bond, Removal & Relief, Students & Schools
Practice Resources

Practice Pointer: DOS Authority to Revoke Visas for Persons in the U.S.

The DOS Liaison Committee provides an overview of DOS’s authority to revoke the visas of individuals present in the U.S.

3/28/25 AILA Doc. No. 25032861. Consular Processing
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism

On 1/29/25, President Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14188 that, among other actions, directs certain heads of agencies to include in reports to the president recommendations to familiarize colleges and universities with the grounds for inadmissibility under INA §212(a)(3). (90 FR 8847, 2/3/25)

2/3/25 AILA Doc. No. 25020307. Removal & Relief
Federal Agencies, FR Regulations & Notices

Executive Order on Enhancing Visa Vetting and Screening

On 1/20/25, President Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14161 to further enhance the vetting and screening processes across agencies all relevant federal agencies for purposes of visa issuance. (90 FR 8451, 1/30/25)

1/30/25 AILA Doc. No. 25012105. Admissions & Border, Consular Processing, Removal & Relief