F-1 Visa Revocation Lawsuit: International Students Fight Back Against Trump Administration's Crackdown

The Trump administration is facing a significant legal challenge as international students file a class-action lawsuit over the mass F-1 Visa Revocation. This lawsuit, filed in the US District Court in New Hampshire, accuses the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of unlawfully terminating the legal status of "hundreds, if not thousands" of international students without due process, creating significant uncertainty and jeopardizing their academic and professional futures.   

Understanding the F-1 Visa Revocation and Its Impact

Three students from India and two from China have filed a lawsuit emphasizing the severe consequences of having their F-1 visas revoked. These students were attending Rivier University in New Hampshire and Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, argue that the abrupt termination of their visas has caused severe financial and academic hardship. The revocations have barred them from participating in critical post-graduation opportunities like the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, and in some cases, have prevented them from completing their degrees.   

The Indian plaintiffs, Manikanta Pasula, Linkhith Babu Gorrela, and Thanuj Kumar Gummadavelli, face the prospect of missed graduations and derailed career plans. Gorrela, for instance, is set to graduate on May 20, 2025, but his revoked visa now threatens his participation. The Chinese plaintiffs, Hangrui Zhang and Haoyang An, have already experienced significant losses; Zhang has lost his research assistantship, his sole source of income, while An, who invested over $329,000 in his US education, faces the possibility of abandoning his master’s degree.   

Legal Grounds and Allegations Against the F-1 Visa Revocation

Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the students assert that the DHS violated their rights by terminating their F-1 visas without proper notice or explanation. The lawsuit argues that the government’s actions contravene federal immigration laws, which mandate due process before stripping legal status. The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to reinstate their visas and halt detentions and deportations, warning of the potentially devastating consequences for affected students.   

The lawsuit also highlights the seemingly minor infractions that led to some of these revocations. For example, Pasula was cited for driving without a valid US license, while Gorrela and Thanuj faced penalties for using international driving permits beyond the allowed period.Even though An addressed the issues that led to a citation for driving without active insurance, their student status was still canceled. This makes people wonder if the government's decision was a fair reaction to the situation.

Context of the Crackdown and Broader Implications

These F-1 Visa Revocation cases are part of a broader immigration crackdown initiated under President Donald Trump’s second term, which began in January 2025. The administration has targeted international students, particularly those linked to pro-Palestinian activism, though colleges report that the majority of affected students were not involved in protests. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cited a 1952 law granting authority to expel non-citizens whose presence could have “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences,” a provision critics argue is being misused to suppress free speech.   

Since March 2025, over 1,400 students across more than 170 US colleges and universities have had their visas or legal statuses revoked, according to estimates from the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA) and Inside Higher Ed. The terminations, often executed without warning through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), have left students vulnerable to detention and deportation.   

This crackdown has sparked alarm among higher education leaders, who warn that it could deter international students from pursuing studies in the US. With over 1.5 million international students contributing to the US economy and academic diversity, the lack of transparency in the revocation process is fueling fear and uncertainty. Immigration attorneys report that many students are avoiding legal action out of fear of further retaliation.   

Looking Ahead: The Fight for International Student Rights

The lawsuit in New Hampshire is one of several legal challenges filed across the US, with similar cases in Michigan, Indiana, and California. Federal judges have issued temporary restraining orders in some instances, halting deportations pending further hearings. However, legal experts predict a protracted battle, given the government’s broad discretion over visa matters and a 2024 Supreme Court ruling limiting appeals for visa revocations.   

For students like Pasula, Gorrela, Gummadavelli, Zhang, and An, the outcome of these lawsuits could determine whether they can salvage their education and careers in the US. As the Trump administration continues its immigration enforcement, the international student community braces for further uncertainty, with the courts now a critical battleground for their rights.

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