Featured Issue: Actions Targeting International Students
Browse the Featured Issue: Actions Targeting International Students collection
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.)
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.
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.
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: 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)
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.
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.
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: 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)
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Practice Alert: DOS Social Media Vetting and Revocation of Student Visas
The AILA DOS Liaison Committee provides a practice alert regarding media reports of a new DOS cable directing consular officers to increase social media vetting of student visas.
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.
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)
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)