Trump Administration Reinstates Thousands of Student Visa Records

• Apr 25, 2025

The Trump administration has reversed its decision to terminate the visa records of thousands of foreign students living in the U.S.

In a federal court hearing on Friday in Washington, D.C., a Justice Department lawyer announced that over 4,700 student visa records would be reinstated. Attorney Brian Green, who represents one of the many plaintiffs challenging the terminations, confirmed the information.

The mass cancellations had affected foreign students listed in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which is managed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Many of the students targeted had only minor legal issues, some of which were later dismissed, according to court documents.

The sudden termination of visa records caused widespread fear among students, with many worried they could be deported. It also led to a wave of lawsuits against the Trump administration. Courts around the country have largely ruled in favor of the students. Just last week, a federal judge in Atlanta ordered the government to reinstate 133 terminated SEVIS records.

According to a Justice Department statement shared by Green, the administration agreed to maintain or reactivate the SEVIS records until ICE finalizes a formal policy on visa cancellations. The government also pledged that visa records would no longer be changed "solely based" on criminal history checks that led to the original terminations.

However, ICE will still have the authority to revoke a student’s SEVIS record if they fail to maintain their visa status or commit deportable offenses under U.S. immigration law. "ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations," the Justice Department attorney said in court.

Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin clarified that the administration had "not reversed course on a single visa revocation." She explained that SEVIS access was restored only for individuals who had not had their actual visas revoked.

CBS News reached out to the Department of State for more details. While ICE manages the SEVIS database, the State Department is responsible for issuing and revoking student visas.

Some students, however, chose to leave the U.S. rather than fight the cancellations in court. One student from Cornell University, who had participated in pro-Palestinian protests, self-deported after his visa was revoked.