Trump crackdown on international students blocked by federal court ruling

The Trump administration’s crackdown on international students has faced a setback as a federal judge blocked the termination of legal status for these individuals while a court case challenging previous terminations is pending. California U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White issued an order preventing the government from arresting or incarcerating the affected students and from transferring them outside their jurisdiction. The administration is also prohibited from imposing any adverse legal effects on the students until the case is resolved.

While the students are protected from deportation, they can still face consequences for committing violent crimes. More than 4,700 international students had their permission to study in the U.S. revoked earlier this year as part of the administration’s efforts to crack down on illegal behavior on college campuses. The Department of Homeland Security conducted checks on student visa holders using an FBI database, leading to the cancellations.

Despite claims from DHS officials that legal status has been reinstated and status reactivation letters have been sent to affected students, Judge White argued that erroneous revocations still impact the students’ records and ability to obtain new visas or change their nonimmigrant status. The administration’s actions have caused turmoil for the students and similar F-1 nonimmigrants across the country.

In a separate move, the Department of Homeland Security announced the elimination of the student visa program at Harvard University due to alleged “pro-terrorist conduct” at campus protests. Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that universities must comply with the law and held Harvard accountable for fostering violence and antisemitism. The university lost its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of its actions.

The Trump administration’s targeting of international students and universities is part of a broader crackdown on illegal behavior on college campuses. While the government asserts its authority to enforce immigration laws, the court’s intervention has provided temporary relief to the affected students. The ongoing legal battle underscores the challenges faced by international students studying in the United States.