Four University of Iowa international students admitted to the United States on F-1 student visas are suing the Department of Homeland Security, its Secretary Kristi Noem, and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons for terminating their statuses “without legal justification or explanation.”
In a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court’s Southern District of Iowa on Monday, the students — identified as John Doe #1-#4 — argue they haven’t done anything to violate their student statuses, haven’t committed any serious criminal offenses, and have remained in good academic standing.
Recommended Reading
“DHS’ targeting and abuse of plaintiffs is unlawful,” according to the lawsuit asking the court to grant a restraining order and injunction against the revocation — restoring their student statuses and preventing their removal.
“By terminating plaintiffs’ (Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems, or SEVIS) records, DHS has effectively ended their student statuses,” according to the lawsuit. “By forcing them out of status, DHS has created pretext for future adverse immigration actions against them.”
That, according to the students’ attorneys, has created financial and emotional hardship.
“Plaintiffs are now experiencing intense mental and financial suffering because they cannot continue with their studies and fear being detained and removed if they do so.”
Although the students aren’t named in the lawsuit, their attorneys provide brief descriptions of each.
This week’s UI student lawsuit comes as more than 1,500 students from hundreds of colleges and universities have reported sudden and unexpected changes to their SEVIS listing or visa status.
That count encompasses dozens in Iowa and neighboring states — including five at the University of Iowa, two at Iowa State University, and two at Mount Mercy University. Across the Big Ten, the University of Michigan has reported 22 terminations; Michigan State has reported 12; the University of Wisconsin has reported 14; and the University of Minnesota has reported 11, according to Inside Higher Ed.
In a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court’s Southern District of Iowa on Monday, the students — identified as John Doe #1-#4 — argue they haven’t done anything to violate their student statuses, haven’t committed any serious criminal offenses, and have remained in good academic standing.
Recommended Reading
“DHS’ targeting and abuse of plaintiffs is unlawful,” according to the lawsuit asking the court to grant a restraining order and injunction against the revocation — restoring their student statuses and preventing their removal.
“By terminating plaintiffs’ (Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems, or SEVIS) records, DHS has effectively ended their student statuses,” according to the lawsuit. “By forcing them out of status, DHS has created pretext for future adverse immigration actions against them.”
That, according to the students’ attorneys, has created financial and emotional hardship.
“Plaintiffs are now experiencing intense mental and financial suffering because they cannot continue with their studies and fear being detained and removed if they do so.”
Although the students aren’t named in the lawsuit, their attorneys provide brief descriptions of each.
- John Doe #1 is an Indian national and fourth-year UI doctorate student studying chemical engineering. He lives in Iowa City and had his SEVIS record terminated April 10.
- John Doe #2 is a Chinese national and third-year UI undergraduate student living in Tiffin. His SEVIS record was terminated April 10.
- John Doe #3 is a Chinese national and a third-year undergraduate and pre-doctorate student at UI living in Iowa City. His record was terminated April 10.
- And John Doe #4 is an Indian national and UI master of public health graduate student. He’s working for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services as an epidemiologist — living in Des Moines and also reported his student record was terminated April 10.
This week’s UI student lawsuit comes as more than 1,500 students from hundreds of colleges and universities have reported sudden and unexpected changes to their SEVIS listing or visa status.
That count encompasses dozens in Iowa and neighboring states — including five at the University of Iowa, two at Iowa State University, and two at Mount Mercy University. Across the Big Ten, the University of Michigan has reported 22 terminations; Michigan State has reported 12; the University of Wisconsin has reported 14; and the University of Minnesota has reported 11, according to Inside Higher Ed.
