Indian, Chinese, Nepalese students challenge US visa termination

The lawsuit names DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, ICE Director Todd Lyons, and ICE Detroit Field Office Director Robert Lynch, alleging the students’ visa terminations stemmed from minor, lawful interactions with U.S. law enforcement

Four international students from Michigan’s public universities, including an Indian national, have filed a federal lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and immigration officials, alleging unlawful termination of their student visa status without proper notice or justification.

The students — Chinmay Deore from India, Xiangyun Bu and Qiuyi Yang from China, and Yogesh Joshi from Nepal — claim their F-1 visa status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) was abruptly revoked, putting them at immediate risk of deportation. The lawsuit was filed on Friday (April 11) in a federal court with support from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan, which is also seeking an emergency injunction to halt any potential removals.

SEVIS is a federal system that tracks international students and exchange visitors in the US. The ACLU alleges that the students were not given any prior warning, explanation, or opportunity to contest the termination of their legal status. The complaint underscores that none of the students has a criminal record, immigration violation, or ties to political protests.

Officials accused of unfair terminations

The legal filing names key officials, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, and ICE Detroit Field Office Director Robert Lynch, as respondents. According to the complaint, the only apparent link among the affected students was minor or lawful contact with US law enforcement, such as receiving a traffic citation or withdrawing an application at the border.

“This sudden and unjustified termination jeopardizes not just the futures of these students, but also Michigan’s reputation as a destination for international education,” said ACLU staff attorney Ramis Wadood. He warned that such actions could deter global scholars from choosing U.S. institutions, impacting diversity and academic excellence.

Similar lawsuits are being filed in states including California, Indiana, and New Hampshire amid heightened immigration enforcement policies.