Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration Moves On Student Visas

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from revoking F-1 visas for 133 international students, ruling that the government likely exceeded its legal authority and violated students’ due process rights.

Key Insights

Judge Victoria Marie Calvert issued a temporary restraining order requiring ICE to reinstate student visas through March 31, 2025, finding the students would likely succeed in their legal challenge.
The ACLU lawsuit argues the visa terminations occurred without proper notice or opportunity to respond, violating students’ constitutional rights.
Many affected students are weeks away from graduation or participating in authorized work programs, with the judge noting the “irreparable harm” caused by disrupting their education.
The administration must restore the students’ legal status by April 22, with a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for April 24.

Court Finds Student Visa Revocations Likely Unlawful

U.S. District Judge Victoria Marie Calvert of Georgia determined that the Trump administration’s decision to terminate the legal status of 133 international students through database changes likely exceeds the government’s statutory authority. The judge’s temporary restraining order requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to restore the students’ F-1 visa status by April 22. According to court documents, the students’ records were terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database without prior notice, explanation, or opportunity to respond – actions the judge found problematic under both administrative law and constitutional principles.

The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and associated organizations on behalf of affected students across the country. Named defendants include several high-profile Trump administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The ACLU argues that the visa terminations represent a coercive measure lacking proper legal foundation, particularly since many affected students had maintained lawful status and had no criminal records. Judge Calvert’s order effectively prevents deportation proceedings against these students while the case continues.

Students Face “Irreparable Harm” From Visa Terminations

The court recognized the significant harm faced by international students whose legal status was abruptly terminated. Many are enrolled in STEM programs or participating in work placements, with some just weeks away from completing their degrees. The disruption threatens not only their educational paths but also scholarships, housing, and future career opportunities. Without the court’s intervention, affected students would face potential detention and deportation, despite having followed proper immigration procedures and maintaining valid visa status.

“Many plaintiffs are mere weeks away from attaining their degrees,” Calvert wrote. “The loss of timely academic progress alone is sufficient to establish irreparable harm.”

The lawsuit also seeks class-action status, which would expand protection to similarly situated international students beyond the 133 individuals named in the current case. Government attorneys have argued that providing relief to these students interferes with the administration’s immigration policy authority, but Judge Calvert indicated the students are likely to prevail on their claims that the government’s actions violated both the Administrative Procedure Act and Fifth Amendment due process protections.

Broader Context of International Student Visa Issues

The Georgia case represents just one aspect of ongoing tensions related to international student visas under the current administration. According to reports referenced in the lawsuit, over 1,500 student visas have been revoked, with some critics suggesting connections to enforcement actions against students involved in political activism. In a related case, a federal judge ordered the transfer of Rumeysa Ozturk, a detained international student, from Louisiana to Vermont after allegations she was detained in retaliation for co-authoring an op-ed criticizing her university’s administration.

While the temporary restraining order provides immediate relief to the 133 students named in the lawsuit, legal experts anticipate further battles over the scope and application of immigration enforcement policies. The preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for April 24 will determine whether longer-term protections will be granted. Judge Calvert’s initial ruling suggests the administration faces significant legal hurdles in defending its approach to international student visa enforcement.