In a major policy reversal, the U.S. federal government announced on Friday that it will restore the legal status of international students, which had been terminated suddenly.
According to Newsmax, following extensive legal challenges, the government will not only activate affected SEVIS records but also hold off on future terminations until a new policy is formulated.
The abrupt cancellation of many international students' records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) had sparked widespread confusion and legal battles. SEVIS, managed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is crucial for tracking the compliance of international students with their visa requirements.
The chain of events began when ICE terminated the records without notifying the affected students or their educational institutions. This action led several students to face immediate problems with their legal status in the country.
In response, multiple temporary judicial orders were issued across the United States. These orders mandated the reactivation of the students’ SEVIS records while the court cases were being processed.
A government lawyer in Oakland’s federal court, during the Friday session, communicated the decision to reverse the terminations. Simultaneously, in Washington, a similar declaration was made, as reported by attorney Brian Green who is representing a plaintiff in the related case.
Along with the reversal, ICE announced intentions to develop a comprehensive policy to govern future SEVIS record terminations. This upcoming policy aims to provide a clear framework, preventing the immediate and unregulated alterations that provoked this situation.
Until this new policy is formally issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiffs and others in similar situations will indeed remain active. This assurance was part of the statements made in federal courts.
"ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations," stated a government lawyer. "Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiffs in this case will remain Active or shall be re-activated if not currently active."
Brian Green further clarified the application of this decision. According to him, the restoration and continued activeness of SEVIS records will not be limited to plaintiffs who initiated legal action but will extend to all similarly situated students.
Green conveyed this through an email he received from a government lawyer, which highlighted that the restoration policies are to apply universally among international students impacted, regardless of their involvement in legal proceedings. "This is a significant relief for international students who found themselves suddenly at risk of losing their legal ability to stay in the U.S.," Green emphasized. "It demonstrates a recognition of their critical role in our educational and social fabric."
SEVIS has been in place to monitor the status and activities of students on diverse visas. This system is often used in connection with data from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), maintained by the FBI, to ensure compliance with U.S. laws.
Some terminations were influenced by findings sourced from the NCIC, leading to automatic adjustments in the SEVIS records without prior examination of the context or provision of an explanatory notification to the affected parties.
Reactivations and policy adjustments are still underway, with officials from ICE committed to ensuring a fairer process in the future. This case highlights the complexities and challenges of managing international student visas and emphasizes the need for clear policies and transparent communication.