Trump Admin Faces Deadline To Reinstate F-1 Visas Of 133 Students

[Craig Nigrelli]

THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

FEDERAL JUDGE VICTORIA M. CALVERT  ISSUING A DEADLINE OF 5 P-M TUESDAY FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REINSTATE THE F-1 VISAS OF 133 STUDENTS FACING DEPORTATION.

THE ORDER ISSUED FRIDAY, STEMS FROM A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FROM FOUR A-C-L-U AFFILIATES AND A LAW FIRM, FILED ON BEHALF OF THE 133 STUDENTS.

AN ATTORNEY FOR THE A-C-L-U CELEBRATING THE RULING MONDAY, IN A STATEMENT.

SAYING:

[AVIKA FREIDLIN, ATTORNEY FOR ACLU-GEORGIA]

“WE BELIEVE THIS RULING SHOWS THE STUDENTS ARE LIKELY TO PREVAIL ON THEIR CLAIMS AND WE ARE PLEASED THE COURT ORDERED THE GOVERNMENT TO HALT ITS UNLAWFUL ACTIONS WHILE THE LAWSUIT CONTINUES.”

THE RULING COMES AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WORKS TO REVOKE VISAS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ACCUSED OF TAKING PART IN PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES. THE MOVE IS IN RESPONSE TO AN EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM TRUMP, DESIGNED TO CRACK DOWN ON ANTISEMITISM AT UNIVERSITIES.

CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATES  SAY THE EFFORT VIOLATE FREE SPEECH RIGHTS AS IT TARGETS STUDENT VISAS BASED ON THEIR PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL ACTIVISM, INCLUDING HANDLING OUT FLYERS.

THE LAWSUIT ARGUES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT CANCELLATION OF STUDENT VISAS PUTS THEM AT RISK OF DEPORTATION.

PLAINTIFFS IN THE CASE INCLUDE STUDENTS SET TO GRADUATE AND MEMBERS OF AUTHORIZED WORK PROGRAMS. MANY STUDENTS WITHIN THE LAWSUIT WERE CITED IN THE PAST FOR MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS OR MISDEMEANORS THAT WERE LATER DROPPED. WHILE OTHERS HAVE NO  CITATIONS OR CRIMINAL RECORDS.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEFENDS ITS DECISION, SAYING IT’S ENFORCING THE POWERS GRANTED TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THROUGH IMMIGRATION POLICY.

MORE THAN 15-HUNDRED STUDENTS HAVE REPORTEDLY SEEN THEIR VISAS CANCELLED AS THE ADMINISTRATION TARGETS FOREIGN STUDENTS ENGAGED IN PROTESTS AND OTHER ACTIVISM.

UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS SAY SOME STUDENTS EVEN HAD THEIR LEGAL STATUS REVOKED IN A FEDERAL DATA BASE, IN MANY CASES WITHOUT NOTICE, A CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS POLICIES WHEN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS PROVIDED THESE UPDATES.  

ANOTHER HEARING IN THE CASE IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, AS CALVERT SEEKS TO FIND OUT IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COMPLIED WITH HER ORDER.

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