International Student Visas Revoked: Here’s What to Know

In early 2025, international student visas were revoked across the U.S., thrusting students into legal limbo after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) abruptly terminated thousands of Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records. In a matter of weeks, more than 1,800 students from over 280 colleges and universities lost their immigration status—many without notice. The action, spearheaded by the Trump administration under the guise of national security, was swiftly reversed following intense legal pressure and a wave of lawsuits.

Why were international student visas revoked? How were SEVIS terminations carried out? And how can immigration lawyers respond and stay prepared? Amy Maldonado, founder of the Law Office of Amy Maldonado, sat down with James Pittman, Director and Subject Matter Expert for Immigration at Docketwise, to discuss this topic on the podcast Immigration Uncovered. 

Below, we’ll share key takeaways, expert analysis, and practical steps to help your practice stay ready for whatever comes next.

The 2025 Wave of Visa Revocations: What Happened and Why

In early 2025, ICE began terminating SEVIS records en masse, ultimately affecting more than 1,800 students. The rationale? A variety of reasons were cited including alleged failures to maintain status, contact with law enforcement including citations or arrests for minor offenses, and notably, a rarely invoked section of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952—§237(a)(4)(C)—which says that noncitizens are deportable if their activities in the U.S. would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. However, what was most striking was that the government, in support of the foreign policy-related charge, offered no more than a statement of vague national security concerns without explaining how the students’ actions could have an adverse impact on U.S. foreign policy. 

Behind the scenes, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) used an opaque and newly invented “other” SEVIS termination category. This designation, hidden from Designated School Officials (DSOs), allowed ICE to revoke records without institutional checks or proper legal grounds.

According to Amy Maldonado, “They used some kind of algorithm to terminate [SEVIS records] up front…[which] was all done over the course of a couple weeks.”

ICE’s algorithm flagged students by cross-referencing criminal justice and immigration databases. The infractions were minor—parking tickets, dismissed charges, or merely being listed as a witness in a criminal case. This automated process bypassed due process entirely, offering no opportunity for students to respond or appeal. 

Legal Fallout: Lawsuits, TROs, and Government Backtracking

The fallout from these F-1 visa revocations has led to lawsuits and a wave of emergency court interventions. Over 50 temporary restraining orders (TROs) were filed across 16 federal districts. Judges from both parties questioned the government’s legal authority and ICE’s refusal to comply with court orders.

“They were not obeying the court orders from around the country,” says Maldonado. “It was outrageous.” 

At the heart of the legal chaos was a fundamental confusion—even among courts—about what it means for a student to be “in status.” ICE claimed that terminating a SEVIS record did not legally equate to a loss of status, yet students experienced immediate and severe consequences such as visa revocations, halted academic progress, and deportation threats. In one case highlighted by Maldonado in this video clip, a judge presses ICE attorneys on whether the student’s SEVIS termination actually meant he was out of status, and receives no clear answer. 

As legal defeats mounted, ICE began reinstating SEVIS records—but inconsistently. Many students still faced unresolved employment interruptions, travel restrictions, and psychological distress.

ICE’s vague statement that SEVIS terminations would be “reconsidered” failed to undo the damage or clarify students’ current legal status, and attorneys warned that a second wave of F-1 visa revocations could follow under more formal rulemaking.

Who Was Targeted and Which Visas Were Revoked?

Students were flagged for minor or dismissed legal issues. “We saw people with parking tickets, with a traffic violation,” says Maldonado. “We had one person charged with jaywalking—you know, a terrible crime that makes us all feel unsafe in our homes.” Even students who were merely witnesses in criminal cases lost status.

As Maldonado recounts in this video clip, one affected student—a pregnant teaching assistant—was abruptly stripped of her ability to work, leaving her unable to administer her students’ final exam. The incident not only disrupted the academic continuity for an entire class but also underscored the extreme psychological stress placed on international scholars juggling multiple responsibilities. 

Most affected students held F-1 or J-1 visas, with Indian and Chinese nationals in STEM fields disproportionately impacted. In particular, the wave of F-1 visa revocations faced by Indian students highlighted the vulnerability of high-achieving international scholars caught in flawed enforcement systems. Crucially, these students had no immigration violations or criminal convictions.

The abrupt terminations immediately resulted in a loss of work authorization, invalidated visa eligibility, and forced some students to leave the U.S. permanently.

How Many International Student Visas Have Been Revoked?

Estimates from NAFSA suggest that 1,500 to 1,800+ SEVIS terminations occurred in early 2025. Some reports speculated the number might exceed 4,000, though not all could be confirmed.

The sheer scale of international student visas revoked under the Trump student visa policy makes this one of the most significant disruptions to legal immigration status in recent U.S. history. Affected institutions spanned 280+ universities and colleges, with the highest concentration in California, Texas, New York, and Michigan. Students in technical and graduate programs were particularly hard hit.

Can a Student Visa Be Revoked Without Notice?

Yes. And that’s exactly what happened.

SEVIS terminations typically require notice to both the student and their DSO. But in this crisis, no prior notification was given, and ICE failed to communicate even after terminations occurred. Students discovered the change only after losing access to classes or employment.

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While ICE claimed that SEVIS termination does not automatically end F-1 status, courts and DSOs found this argument legally dubious. Students on OPT or CPT lost work authorization immediately.

How Immigration Lawyers Can Respond

Maldonado says there are actionable steps immigration attorneys can take to navigate the aftermath of the international student visa crisis. 

1. Demand Retroactive Reinstatement of SEVIS Records

Restoring a SEVIS record isn't enough—it must be retroactively reinstated to prevent unauthorized work findings and preserve legal status. “We told the court the SEVIS record has to be reinstated retroactively...otherwise, clients risk being found out of status,” says Maldonado.

2. Monitor SEVIS Closely and Document Every Change

Attorneys should track SEVIS activity in real time, preserve copies of client records, and maintain open communication with DSOs to detect early signs of enforcement changes.

3. Prepare for Round Two of Revocations

ICE has signaled potential new rulemaking. Attorneys must review at-risk cases, update clients, and prepare legal responses should terminations resume.

4. Pursue APA and Due Process Claims

Most lawsuits cited violations of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and constitutional due process. These arguments remain critical if ICE attempts similar actions in the future.

5. Join Collaborative Legal Efforts

Attorneys are encouraged to join class actions, share evidence, and collaborate with advocacy groups and DSOs. A unified legal front proved essential in forcing ICE’s reversal.

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How Docketwise Supports Your Student Visa Cases

In times of legal uncertainty and sudden policy shifts—like the 2025 wave of F-1 visa revoked cases and green card revoked fears—immigration attorneys need tools that are both powerful and reliable. Docketwise helps you stay organized and responsive by streamlining immigration-related case tracking, automating immigration forms and documentation, and providing robust litigation support for student visa matters and beyond. 

Learn more about how Docketwise can help you stay ahead of policy shifts and protect your clients by scheduling a demo today.For a deeper dive into the immigration crackdown on international students, listen to the full podcast episode of Immigration Uncovered. You can also explore critical issues shaping immigration policy on the Docketwise blog, including DHS’s use of AI and birthright citizenship challenges.