If you’re an international student on an F-1 visa and your SEVIS record was just terminated—without warning, without explanation—you’re not alone.
And no, you’re not overreacting. What’s happening is as unjust as it seems. Hundreds of students across the country are dealing with sudden visa or status revocations.
In recent weeks, we’ve seen a shocking wave of SEVIS terminations linked to minor or dismissed legal issues—parking tickets, speeding violations, even wrongful arrests that led to no charges. Students who’ve followed every rule, attended classes, and maintained their status are suddenly stripped of their legal standing.
Let’s break down what’s happening—and what you can do about it.
What Is SEVIS, and Why Does Termination Matter?
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the government database that tracks your F-1 status. It records your school, academic progress, and legal standing in the U.S. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) terminations occur when a student or exchange visitor’s record in the SEVIS database is officially ended by their school or program, often due to a violation of visa regulations. This can have serious consequences for the individual’s immigration status.
If your SEVIS record is terminated, your F-1 status is effectively canceled. This means:
- You lose work authorization (including OPT/CPT).
- You may be barred from attending classes.
- You could begin accruing “unlawful presence,” risking future bans from the U.S. up to ten years
SEVIS termination is serious and can jeopardize a student’s ability to stay in the U.S. It’s crucial to follow visa rules and consult with a Designated School Official (DSO) or immigration advisor immediately if facing termination.
ICE and DHS have quietly begun terminating SEVIS records for students with any law enforcement interaction—even if charges were dropped, dismissed, or never filed.
They’re not placing students in removal proceedings. They’re not giving notice or following their own rules. They’re simply erasing records—as if students never existed in the system.
This is:
Unlawful under current immigration regulations. A violation of due process and the Administrative Procedures Act An unprecedented overreach of executive powers
What Are Your Options?
- Reinstatement – Applying to USCIS to regain status (must show the violation was beyond the student’s control or due to oversight).
- Depart and Re-Enter – Some students may reapply for a new visa and re-enter with a new SEVIS record.
- Change of Status – Switching to a different visa category (e.g., B-2 tourist) if eligible.
- Litigation – Sue ICE
A Faster, Stronger Solution: Sue in Federal Court
Former DOJ attorney Brad Banias and Stephen Yale-Loehr’s team at Reddy Neumann Brown are partnering with Pro Se Pro to fight back with federal lawsuits.
We’re ready to defend students dealing with these revocations. If you’ve no other way to adjust or change your status, litigation may be your best tool at the moment. Many international students are fighting back.
The strategy: File a complaint to force ICE to restore your SEVIS record immediately. Cases may be resolved without trial in a matter of weeks.
What If You Lose?
You’re no worse off than you are now—no retaliation, no added penalties. And if the lawsuit fails, you can still pursue F-1 reinstatement as a backup.
We’ve spoken to students too scared to leave their homes, students who lost jobs weeks before graduation, students whose futures hang in the balance.
If ICE wants to revoke your status, they must follow the law—not quietly delete your record and pretend you don’t exist.
We’re fighting back. Join us. Contact us today to schedule a consult.