Overview

• The Department of Homeland Security has reinstated the legal status of thousands of international students whose visas were revoked since March, following lawsuits and federal court orders.
• The Justice Department announced on April 25 that visa terminations tied to minor infractions would be reversed, prompting the restoration of student records in the SEVIS database.
• Over 1,200 students, many accused of minor violations or political activism, were initially affected by the Trump administration's abrupt policy shift, which lacked transparency and due process.
• Universities and civil rights advocates warn that the policy changes have created significant uncertainty, potentially deterring future international students and harming U.S. higher education and the economy.
• While many students have had their statuses restored, the administration's broader visa cancellation criteria remain unresolved, casting doubt on long-term outcomes.