The Trump administration is reinstating visas for hundreds of international students who had their legal status unexpectedly revoked, causing panic among many who feared deportation, as confirmed by government officials.
Elizabeth Kurlan, a Justice Department attorney, informed a federal court that immigration officials are now working on a new system to review and cancel visas for foreign students.
This decision comes after more than 100 lawsuits were filed by students who were suddenly stripped of their right to study at US universities.
An estimated 1,800 students and 280 universities have been affected, according to Inside Higher Ed.
Many of the impacted students seemed to have participated in political protests or had previous criminal charges, such as traffic violations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously stated that the administration would revoke status for individuals whose actions were deemed to be contrary to US interests.
The policy has sparked widespread fear and confusion across US universities, with some students choosing to leave the country voluntarily to avoid possible detention or deportation.
On Friday, the Justice Department informed the court that records would be reinstated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which tracks foreign students’ compliance with their visas.
