US Court Halts Visa Cancellations: Relief for Indian Students
Temporary Relief for Affected Students
A U.S. federal court has granted temporary relief to 133 international students, the majority of whom are Indian nationals, by reinstating their SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records. This comes as a major respite after their student visas were abruptly cancelled by the U.S. Department of State.
Trump Administration Under Scrutiny
The visa revocations were issued under the direction of President Donald Trump, whose administration has been pushing stricter immigration and student visa policies since resuming office in January 2025. The students filed a legal challenge, leading to the court’s decision to reinstate their SEVIS status.
‘Catch and Revoke’ Program Draws Fire
Legal experts and immigration advocates have strongly criticized the “Catch and Revoke” strategy, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Under this program, student visa holders are subject to surveillance, with AI tools reviewing their legal history, social media activity, and other data. Critics argue this approach targets students unfairly, often for minor infractions.
Cancellations for Trivial Reasons
Out of the 327 students whose visas were cancelled under this program:
- Half are from India, China, Nepal, South Korea, and Bangladesh.
- Only two students were found to have attended small-scale political gatherings.
- Others faced action for minor traffic violations or administrative issues.
No Criminal Background for Most
Immigration lawyers pointed out that most affected students had no criminal history. U.S. authorities claimed they were on law enforcement radar but offered no evidence of actual wrongdoing. The decision to remove their legal status is being seen as excessively harsh.
OPT and Career Implications
The cancellations risk undermining the Optional Practical Training (OPT) status of several students. OPT allows international graduates in STEM and other disciplines to work temporarily in the U.S. for up to 36 months. Losing this status can jeopardize future H-1B visa eligibility, thus harming long-term career prospects.
Impact on Indian Students’ Future
For many Indian students, visa revocations could mean the end of their American education and career journey. OPT and SEVIS are critical bridges between graduation and employment. Their suspension creates uncertainty and psychological distress among students, with far-reaching implications for their futures.