A Legal and Humanitarian Breakdown in America’s Immigration System
In what is becoming one of the most alarming trends under the current Trump administration, over 4,000 international students across more than 170 colleges in 40+ states have had their student visa statuses revoked—often without warning, legal justification, or even a chance to speak to a judge.
At The Modi Law Firm PLLC, we have personally consulted with several affected students, many of whom had no criminal conviction whatsoever. In cases where minor offenses existed, none were legally classified as deportable crimes under immigration law. Despite this, their SEVIS records were abruptly terminated—without notice, without school involvement, and without access to the due process rights our legal system promises.
The New Norm: Termination First, Questions Later
Normally, an F-1 visa holder who falls out of status is provided an opportunity to explain their situation in front of an immigration judge. That’s because visa revocation is not the same as status termination.
Yet DHS has been bypassing these procedures by directly terminating SEVIS records, which are essential to maintaining legal student status. Even worse, schools are not being notified in advance. Most students only discover their termination after their university checks the SEVIS system—by then, it's too late.
The result?
In an instant, students lose:
- Their legal immigration status
- Their work authorization
- Their ability to reenter the U.S.
- And, in many cases, their jobs and housing
Real Case, Real Impact: Liu v. Noem
One high-profile case, Liu v. Noem, was filed in the U.S. District Court for New Hampshire on April 7, 2025. Liu, a Ph.D. student at Dartmouth with a perfect 4.0 GPA and no criminal conviction, had his SEVIS record unceremoniously terminated by DHS. The government labeled him as "Otherwise Failing to Maintain Status" with no explanation or hearing.
As a result, he lost his position as a research assistant and was placed at risk of detention and deportation. The university only discovered the issue by checking SEVIS; neither Liu nor the school had received any prior notice.
Sadly, Liu’s story is not unique—it is part of a growing list of students whose futures were upended overnight.
Legal Challenges Across the Country
In response, students and advocates are fighting back. Lawsuits have been filed in multiple states, including:
- California
- New York
- New Hampshire
- Michigan
- Washington
- Pennsylvania
A class-action lawsuit in Pennsylvania represents students whose legal status was revoked for minor, non-deportable infractions. Meanwhile, a consolidated case in Georgia involves 17 students from local universities, all alleging the same violations of law and due process.
Why These Lawsuits Matter
The lawsuits are centered on key legal violations:
1. Misuse of Visa Revocation as Grounds for Status Termination
Under 8 C.F.R. § 214.1(d) and ICE Policy Guidance 1004-04, visa revocation alone does not justify SEVIS termination. The regulation clearly states:
“Visa revocation is not, in itself, a cause for termination of the student's SEVIS record.”
Revoking a visa affects reentry into the U.S., not a student’s legal right to remain and study here.
2. Violations of Constitutional Due Process
Many affected students received no prior notice, no opportunity to present evidence, and no access to an immigration court hearing—a potential violation of 5th Amendment due process rights.
3. Violations of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)
DHS’s actions have been challenged as arbitrary, capricious, and lacking legal justification. These terminations fail to follow the structured legal process that every federal agency is bound to.
Key legal precedent:
In Jie Fang v. ICE (3rd Cir. 2019), the court confirmed that SEVIS terminations are subject to judicial review, reinforcing students' right to challenge these decisions in court.
The Real-World Fallout
This isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a human and economic crisis:
- Students in STEM fields—working on critical research in biotechnology, AI, energy, and medicine—are being ejected from programs.
- Universities are forming emergency response teams and partnering with law firms to assist students.
- Families are being separated, and dreams of academic and career success are being shattered.
And the financial toll is enormous:
According to NAFSA, international students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and supported over 378,000 jobs during the 2023–2024 academic year.
This policy shift risks undermining decades of goodwill and U.S. leadership in global education.
What The Modi Law Firm Is Doing to Help
We have represented and/or advised many international students across the U.S. facing unlawful SEVIS terminations. Our firm is actively working to:
- Investigate federal litigation on behalf of affected students
- Apply for student visa reinstatement of F-1 status and/or
- Potentially Hold DHS accountable under immigration law and the Constitution
If your SEVIS record has been terminated or if you’ve received a DHS notice of revocation, time is of the essence. You may still have options—but you must act quickly.
Get Help Now
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Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.