With SEVIS terminations and student visa cancellations on the rise, this blog post explains how students can protect their legal status—and their future.
Student Visa Issues
A growing number of student visa holders in the United States are suddenly losing their immigration status. Many are receiving confusing notices that their SEVIS records have been terminated or their visas revoked—often without warning or clear explanation.
Our firm is seeing a rising number of inquiries with a similar story: students who appear to be following all the rules are abruptly told they are no longer in valid status. It's understandably alarming.
So what's going on—and what can affected students do?
Understanding the Basics: SEVIS, Student Visas, and the Agencies Involved
To make sense of what's happening, it helps to understand how the student visa system works, and the agencies involved.
- F-1 visa: This is the most common student visa in the U.S. It allows a student to enter the country to study at a U.S. school. It appears as a foil (sticker) in the passport and is issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
- I-20 form: This document is issued by the student's school and shows that the student is eligible to study in the United States. It's essential for maintaining legal status once inside the country.
- SEVIS: The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System is a federal database that tracks international students and their status. It's managed by ICE, part of the Department of Homeland Security. SEVIS is updated whenever a student changes schools, drops below a full course load, starts Optional Practical Training (OPT), or otherwise alters their academic situation.
- ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): ICE oversees SEVIS and can terminate a student's SEVIS record if it determines they are no longer complying with visa rules.
- DOS (Department of State): The State Department is responsible for issuing and revoking visas. In recent weeks, it has been revoking F-1 visas based on "foreign policy concerns."
Here's an important distinction: a visa allows someone to enter the U.S., but their SEVIS status allows them to stay. So even if a visa is revoked, a student may still be in legal status. If the SEVIS record is terminated that legal status ends immediately.
What's Happening With Student Visas?
According to multiple news reports, the Department of State recently revoked more than 300 student visas, some based on AI analysis of students' social media. ICE has also begun terminating SEVIS records, without prior notice or a clear explanation.
In many of these cases, students had never been arrested or had been charged with only minor offenses that had already been dismissed. Some were flagged simply because their names matched someone else's on a background check.
Once SEVIS is terminated, the student immediately loses their ability to work, cannot re-enter the U.S. if they travel, and is at increased risk of deportation.
Navigating the Student Visa Uncertainty
When a student's status is terminated or their visa revoked, it's often unclear what triggered the action or what to do next. With the help of an immigration attorney, students can better understand their situation and determine their best course of action.
Unpacking the Reason Behind Student Visa Terminations
Visa termination notices often include general language like "failed to maintain status" or cite broad legal grounds such as INA § 237(a)(1)(C)(i). An attorney can help students obtain and analyze government records to identify whether there was a real violation, a clerical error, or a misunderstanding.
Exploring Visa Reinstatement or Change of Status Options
Students may be able to apply for discretionary reinstatement of F-1 status through USCIS, particularly if they've otherwise maintained good academic standing and the violation was unintentional or due to circumstances beyond their control.
Reinstatement involves submitting Form I-539, along with a detailed explanation of the circumstances that led to the status violation, proof of continued enrollment, and a new Form I-20 issued specifically for reinstatement purposes by the school's Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO must agree to support the reinstatement request and annotate the SEVIS record accordingly.
An attorney can assess whether the student qualifies under USCIS's reinstatement criteria and help prepare a thorough application that anticipates potential red flags. This includes guiding communication with the DSO, ensuring all supporting documentation is consistent and persuasive, and clarifying the implications of acknowledging a status violation (which is required as part of the request). In some cases, if reinstatement is not viable, the student may need to consider transferring to a new SEVP-certified school or exploring other visa categories that better match their current circumstances.
These are delicate decisions, and timing matters. For example, F-1 reinstatement does not allow for premium processing, and if the student graduates before their case is decided, USCIS may deny the application.
Protecting the Student's Long-Term Immigration Future
Even if the immediate issue can't be fixed, legal guidance can help students make the best of a tough situation—advising on how to leave the United States without triggering long-term consequences, what to expect in future visa interviews, and how to explain a visa termination if applying for a new status or green card down the line.
Why This Matters
These terminations are more than just technical glitches. They can end a student's education, derail a career, or cut off work authorization for thousands of students, especially those in STEM fields working under OPT.
And yet, students often find themselves penalized without knowing why—and without any way to respond.
Some lawsuits are already underway, including cases filed by students in California and Pennsylvania, but until there's clearer guidance or a policy shift, many students remain in legal limbo and need legal help.
If you or someone you know has been affected by a visa or SEVIS termination, we encourage you to speak with an experienced immigration attorney. Early guidance can make all the difference.
Sudden Student Visa Revocations: What International Students In The U.S. Need To Know
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
