California, USA – In a strong rebuke to the Trump administration, a U.S. federal judge has barred the government from terminating the legal status of thousands of international students, calling the policy “chaotic” and “legally questionable.”
Judge Jeffrey White, a George W. Bush appointee, issued a nationwide injunction on Thursday, halting attempts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to revoke SEVIS records of students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
His strongly worded 21-page order criticises the administration’s abrupt changes and lack of legal compliance, comparing the government’s approach to “a game of whack-a-mole.”
What Was the Case About?
The legal dispute, S.Y. v. Noem, involved over two dozen international students who found their SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records marked “inactive” by ICE in April — without any prior warning.
This change effectively rendered their presence in the U.S. illegal, putting them at risk of deportation, arrest, and loss of academic or professional opportunities.
The students sued under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and constitutional due process laws, claiming their rights were being violated.
Judge Slams Government for “Unlawful and Abrupt” Actions
Judge White openly criticised ICE for suddenly shifting policies, especially once courts began hearing legal challenges.
He pointed out how ICE first suspended SEVIS records, then reinstated them, then issued new termination guidelines, and later promised retroactive fixes — all within a few weeks.
“It is unclear how this game of whack-a-mole will end unless Defendants are enjoined from skirting their own mandatory regulations,” Judge White wrote.
He said these abrupt changes appeared to be a deliberate attempt by the government to avoid judicial review and undermine students’ legal protections.
Court’s Nationwide Injunction Explained
The court’s ruling protects international students across the United States, including:
- Barring ICE from using prior SEVIS terminations to arrest, detain, or deport affected students.
- Preventing any reversal of SEVIS reinstatements already made.
- Restricting ICE from moving students outside their current residence during the case.
- Blocking the government from imposing any adverse effects linked to the terminated SEVIS records.
“The relief the Court grants provides Plaintiffs with a measure of stability and certainty,” the judge stated. “They will be able to continue their studies or their employment without the threat of re-termination hanging over their heads.”
Trump Administration’s Argument Rejected
The Trump administration argued the court didn’t have the authority to issue such sweeping orders. But Judge White rejected this argument, noting that courts across the country have consistently ruled against similar government claims.
He added that a broader ruling was necessary due to the severe harm caused by ICE’s policy and its nationwide impact on students.
What’s Next?
The case will return to court on August 1, where further hearings will determine the long-term legality of ICE’s actions under the Trump administration.
This landmark ruling brings temporary relief and clarity to thousands of international students studying in the U.S., many of whom have been in limbo due to unclear and inconsistent immigration policies. As the case progresses, it will likely serve as a major precedent in protecting non-citizen students from abrupt legal changes without due process.
