F-1 SEVIS Termination and Visa Revocation - Important Updates 🎓
- visa code
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
📚 Temporary Legal Wins for International Students: Courts Push Back on Visa Revocations, But Final Outcomes Still Uncertain
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🧾 Two recent federal court decisions have offered temporary relief to international students facing sudden visa revocations and immigration consequences—raising hopes, but also underscoring the fragility of student immigration status in today’s environment.
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In one case, a #Dartmouth student had his F-1 status temporarily reinstated by a federal judge, after arguing that the U.S. government lacked legal grounds to terminate his student status solely based on visa revocation. The lawsuit emphasized a key point: revocation of an F-1 visa does not equate to the loss of lawful presence or status unless proper procedures and justifications are followed.
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In another closely watched case, a federal court in #Wisconsin temporarily blocked the deportation of Anmol Isserdasani, an Indian student whose visa was revoked following an arrest for disorderly conduct a charge that was later dropped with no court appearance required. The judge found merit in the argument that an unprosecuted arrest should not automatically result in immigration penalties, and stayed removal proceedings.
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Temporary Relief - Not Final Resolution
It’s important to note that these are interim decisions:
The Dartmouth student's status has been temporarily restored, but a final ruling is pending.
Isserdasani’s deportation is on hold, but the case remains under review.
Both cases reflect a growing trend of immigration enforcement actions without full due process, particularly in the F-1 student context. They also signal that judicial scrutiny is intensifying, especially when government agencies act without clear legal grounds.
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Implications for Students and Legal Practitioners
These developments highlight several critical takeaways:
→ Temporary victories offer breathing room but not guaranteed outcomes.
→ Due process is gaining traction in court, even as agencies push for fast-track enforcement.
→ Students must remain vigilant, ensuring they report incidents, seek legal counsel early, and maintain compliance with all SEVIS and visa regulations.
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🎯 Final Thoughts
While these rulings are a step in the right direction, they are not yet permanent wins. The broader fight to protect the rights of international students and ensure fair treatment under immigration law is ongoing.
However, they set a critical precedent. As more federal courts scrutinize abrupt SEVIS terminations and visa revocations, we anticipate that future decisions may increasingly favor students, particularly those whose SEVIS was wrongfully terminated without due process.