The Trump administration unexpectedly reversed its decision to revoke over 1,500 student visas, a move announced during a court hearing in Washington. This followed numerous lawsuits filed by affected students, many of whom faced visa cancellations with little to no explanation for minor infractions or no apparent reason.
The initial visa cancellations sparked panic among international students, some of whom voluntarily left the country. Many students had participated in protests against Israel the previous year. Federal judges previously halted some revocations, but hundreds more received cancellation notices in recent weeks, primarily from India and China.
The Justice Department stated that a new visa review system was under development, halting further cancellations until its completion. The government indicated a willingness to apply this policy change across other ongoing lawsuits, potentially offering relief to students seeking reinstatement.
Multiple lawsuits, including a potential class-action suit in New England, aim to prevent further visa cancellations by the administration.