Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Apr 20: Three Indian and two Chinese students have filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other immigration officials, alleging unlawful termination of their F-1 student visas — a move that has jeopardised their academic futures and legal stay in the US.
Filed in the US District Court in New Hampshire by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the petition claims that ‘hundreds, if not thousands’ of international students are now out of lawful status due to the ‘unilateral and unlawful’ action.
The students are now facing possible immigration detention, deportation, and severe academic and financial hardship. They are unable to complete their degrees or participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international graduates to work in the US.
Indian student Linkhith Babu Gorrela said his graduation from a master's programme is due on May 20, but without a valid visa, he cannot receive his degree or join OPT. Fellow Indian students Thanuj Kumar Gummadavelli and Manikanta Pasula, each with just one semester left, face similar uncertainty without court intervention.
Chinese student Hangrui Zhang lost his research assistantship his only source of income while Haoyang An risks abandoning his degree after already spending over $329,000 on education.
The lawsuit maintains that the students followed all visa rules progressing academically, avoiding unauthorized employment, and having no serious criminal history and that they were denied the legal notice required before losing their status.
The case now seeks urgent court action to restore the students’ F-1 status and prevent further deportations.