International Student Legal Status Restored in Idaho Amidst Policy Shift
Moscow, ID (IdahoEdNews.org) — Over the weekend, five international students in Idaho regained their legal status, following a significant policy shift from the Trump administration regarding student visas. This change comes in response to numerous lawsuits challenging the abrupt termination of students’ legal statuses, as reported by the New York Times.
Four students from the University of Idaho had their visas restored, as confirmed by university spokesperson Jodi Walker. The university discovered the students’ visa revocations through the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) website. Walker explained that the students could continue their education, despite their SEVIS records being terminated, emphasizing that immigration and academic status are not directly linked.
Additionally, the College of Idaho reported the reinstatement of one student’s legal status. McKay Cunningham, responsible for managing visa regulations at the college, noted that privacy concerns prevented both universities from disclosing further details about the affected students.
This policy reversal was discussed during a Washington, D.C. court hearing where Justice Department attorney Joseph F. Carilli described the restorations as a temporary measure while a new review system for international student records is established. Legal scrutiny escalated as over 1,840 students from more than 280 institutions had logged changes to their SEVIS records. Critics have argued that terminating these records without prior notice is unconstitutional.
Despite the restorations, many international students continue to face anxiety regarding their legal status, and for some who have already left the country, the changes may come too late. The situation highlights ongoing concerns within the international student community regarding their educational pursuits and immigration policies.
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