Mass Visa Cancellations Spark Legal Firestorm: International Students Sue U.S. Government Over Due Process Violations

Hundreds of International Students File Lawsuits After Sudden Visa Terminations

In a sweeping move that has left the international education community stunned, the Trump administration has revoked the legal status of over 1,000 international students without prior notice or explanation. Among those affected are students from over 160 U.S. institutions, including Purdue University, University of Michigan, and University of California campuses.

Many students learned about their visa terminations through sudden deactivations in school systems or direct notices to vacate campus housing. Some were even flagged at U.S. airports when attempting domestic travel. Most of these revocations occurred without formal charges, hearings, or any evidence of misconduct.

Credit: The Economic Times

Legal Action: Students Push Back With ACLU Support

Faced with potential deportation and academic disruption, students across the country are taking the matter to court.

Purdue University at the Center of Legal Storm

At Purdue University, five Chinese students have filed a joint lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. These students, who were in good academic standing and had no criminal records, claim their F-1 visas were revoked arbitrarily. The lawsuit is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which is assisting international students nationwide in challenging what it calls an unconstitutional abuse of power.

“This is a gross violation of due process,” said one Purdue student plaintiff. “We were given no warning, no hearing, no explanation. Just a notice to leave.”

National Legal Challenge Gains Momentum

According to ABC News, the lawsuit filed in federal court alleges that the Trump administration's sudden revocations amount to unlawful removal and violate the Administrative Procedure Act. Other students in Michigan, Oregon, and California have filed similar suits, many coordinated with national civil rights groups.

Chinese Students Disproportionately Affected

Multiple Chinese media sources, including Global Times and ECNS, report that Chinese international students are among the most heavily impacted. At least 100 students from China have reportedly received visa termination notices.

Reasons cited by DHS in certain cases include “national security concerns” and “links to high-risk networks,” though few specifics were given. Critics argue that this justification lacks transparency and may be influenced by broader geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China.

Education Leaders and Public Respond

University Officials Raise Alarm

Officials from institutions including Purdue, University of Illinois, and the University of Michigan have expressed frustration at the lack of communication from federal agencies. “We were not notified, nor given time to respond,” one university spokesperson told The Purdue Exponent. “This has created chaos for our students and our international offices.”

Student and Parent Outrage

Students report experiencing extreme emotional distress, with some forced to cancel internships, research projects, or graduation plans. Parents, especially those overseas, are scrambling to support their children legally and emotionally from afar.

Broader Implications for U.S. Higher Education and Immigration

This legal standoff comes at a time when international enrollment in the U.S. is already in decline. According to NAFSA, international student enrollment dropped by 12% between 2023 and 2025. If visa unpredictability continues, more students may opt for alternative destinations like Canada, the UK, or Australia.

Higher education experts warn that the reputation of the U.S. as a safe and welcoming place for global talent is at stake. A mass exodus of international students would affect not only campus diversity but also the $33 billion economic contribution they make annually.

Conclusion: Will Courts Rein in Executive Overreach?

As legal proceedings unfold, the core question remains: can the federal government unilaterally strip international students of their legal status without cause or process?

For now, students, universities, and civil liberties advocates are watching the courts closely, hoping for rulings that reaffirm constitutional protections and restore some degree of certainty to the international education landscape.

Sources:

1. ABC News – International students sue after Trump administration terminates their legal status https://abcnews.go.com/US/international-students-sue-after-trump-administration-terminates-legal/story?id=120822860

2. Global Times – Chinese students in US sue Trump administration over visa revocation https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332148.shtml

3. Journal & Courier – 5 Chinese students at Purdue among those suing feds over revoked visas https://www.jconline.com/story/life/family/2025/04/15/5-chinese-students-at-purdue-among-those-suing-feds-over-revoked-visas/83101387007/

4. ECNS – Chinese students in US file lawsuit over revoked visas https://www.ecns.cn/news/cns-wire/2025-04-15/detail-iheqrhkv9481153.shtml

5. The Purdue Exponent – Purdue visa lawsuit: ACLU supports international students https://www.purdueexponent.org/campus/general_news/purdue-visa-lawsuit-aclu-international/article_98c8b50e-808d-4963-9a07-ec94ef2ffd35.html