The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun reinstating SEVIS records for Indian students whose student visas were recently revoked due to minor infractions. This move has brought relief to several international students who were facing uncertainty about their future in the US.
According to reports, nearly 50% of the 327 international students whose US visas were revoked this year were from India. The revocations were largely due to minor violations, such as speeding tickets or dismissed misdemeanors. However, DHS has now started reinstating the SEVIS records of students who were affected by these revocations.
One student, a 20-year-old from Bengaluru studying engineering in the US, received the unexpected news on April 24 that his SEVIS status had been reactivated after nearly three weeks of uncertainty. “I’m relieved… but I’m still scared,” he said. “If this hadn’t happened, I would probably have had to leave everything midway and go back home.”
Another student, a 31-year-old pursuing Information Systems and Technology in Delaware, had his SEVIS record deactivated following a DUI arrest last year. “I had taken a loan to study here, and my SEVIS was deactivated on April 4. I was scared and didn’t tell my family anything,” he shared. “My friends encouraged me to fight it, and before I could file a lawsuit, my SEVIS was reactivated. I’m relieved, but the fear remains.”
The US Justice Department revealed at a court hearing that DHS is working on a new system to review and terminate international student records. As part of this process, there is a temporary suspension on all recent SEVIS terminations. This announcement has prompted the restoration of several international students’ legal statuses.
Chand Parvathaneni, an immigration attorney based in Texas, confirmed that reinstatements are taking place, but noted that they are still uneven. “It seems to have started for those who had their SEVIS records revoked due to minor violations,” he said. “The government may be moving towards a more case-by-case approach, where terminations are reserved for serious violations, not small infractions.”
Despite the positive updates for some students, uncertainty remains for many others. Immigration experts stress that students must continue checking their SEVIS portals and liaise with Designated School Officials (DSOs) to resolve any issues. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has also confirmed the reinstatements, but noted that these are only happening for students whose visa records were terminated due to minor infractions and not due to involvement in political protests.
The reinstatement of SEVIS records marks a positive shift, but the journey for international students seeking clarity and stability in the US immigration system is far from over. As more students wait for updates on their status, fear and anxiety about their future in the US remain pervasive. DHS has not officially commented on specific cases, but the temporary relief for students has brought some hope during a tumultuous period for many.
