How to Fight Back and Keep Studying in the US After SEVIS Termination
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With the sudden termination of 4,700 student visas under SEVIS violations in the USA since January 2025, there is widespread fear among the Indian student community. While the reasons for SEVIS termination may be severe or not, applicants are still at risk of deportation. We will discuss the reasons for SEVIS termination and how Indian applicants can respond or appeal to student visa revocations.
US immigration for Indian students is facing unprecedented scrutiny. If you have received a SEVIS termination notice while studying in US. It is natural to feel overwhelmed. Here is an in depth guide to understanding why SEVIS records get terminated, what to do next, and how to protect your academic future in the US.
- Current Developments: SEVIS Scrapping and Record Restoration
- Why SEVIS Termination Matters?
- Why SEVIS Terminations Happen: Common Reasons
Current Developments: SEVIS Scrapping and Record Restoration
In light of recent mass terminations and policy changes, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) abruptly terminated 4,736 SEVIS records for international students (mostly F-1 visa holders) since January 2025, due to minor or dismissed law enforcement interactions.
- AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) data show that 50% of the 327 termination reports involved Indian nationals.
- The revocations affected students across more than 240 US colleges, with at least 1,550 visa revocations confirmed via university reports.
- Around 133 Indian students have primarily secured temporary restraining orders (TROs) that reinstated their SEVIS records.
- Over 70 lawsuits have been filed across 21 states, with at least 45 TROs granted.
- US states badly affected by SEVIS terminations include Texas, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Florida and Virginia.
Why SEVIS Termination Matters?
A SEVIS termination is not just a bureaucratic hindrance it can have immediate and severe consequences on student visa holders in USA:
- You may be considered “out of status” and subject to deportation. In turn, losing your legal status to study and stay in USA for full-time study.
- Any OPT, CPT, or on-campus employment is immediately cancelled. Thus, a loss of work authorisation.
- A termination can significantly complicate future US visa applications and hamper travel as well.
- You may have little or no grace time to resolve the issue or leave the country.
- Loss of money on tuition fees that have already been submitted to the designated US universities upon enrollment.
Why SEVIS Terminations Happen: Common Reasons
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System terminations can occur for various reasons. There are 21 reasons for termination. Check out them:
| Reasons for SEVIS Termination |
Explanation of SEVIS Termination for Students |
|---|---|
| 1. Absent from Country for Five Months |
Student is outside the US for 5 months or more. Not for leave of absence or failure to enrol after a break. |
| 2. Authorised Drop Below Full Course Time Exceeded |
Student had a DSO-approved reduced course load last session and did not return to a full course load after RCL ended. |
| 3. Authorised Early Withdrawal |
DSO approved student’s request to withdraw or take a break. F-1s must leave US within 15 days; M-1s must leave immediately, not for leaving during vacation. |
| 4. Change of Status Approved |
USCIS approved a student’s change out of F/M status or to Permanent Residency in USA. SEVIS auto-terminates when notified by USCIS. |
| 5. Change of Status Denied |
USCIS denied student’s change out of F/M status. SEVIS auto-terminates when notified by USCIS. |
| 6. Change of Status Withdrawn |
Student withdrew application to change out of F/M status. SEVIS auto-terminates when notified by USCIS. |
| 7. Death |
The student died. Not used if a family member died. |
| 8. Denied Transfer |
USCIS denied M-1 student’s transfer request. SEVIS auto-terminates when notified by USCIS. |
| 9. Expulsion from Program |
Student was expelled from their program. |
| 10. Extension Denied |
USCIS denied M-1 student’s extension request. SEVIS auto-terminates when notified by USCIS. |
| 11. Failure to Enroll |
Student did not enroll for the next session and is not on vacation. Not for suspension, expulsion, or authorised withdrawal. |
| 12. Failure to Report While on OPT |
Student on 24-month STEM OPT extension did not submit the required validation report at 6, 12, or 18 months. |
| 13. No Show – Manual Termination |
Student (not a transfer) entered US but did not report to school by the program start date. |
| 14. Otherwise, Failing to Maintain Status |
Student did not maintain status, and none of the other reasons apply. Must explain how in SEVIS remarks. |
| 15. Suspension |
Student is suspended and cannot maintain a full course of study. |
| 16. Transfer Student No Show |
Student transferred but did not report to the new school by the start date. SEVIS auto-terminates if not registered within 60 days of the start date. |
| 17. Transfer Withdrawn |
M-1 student withdrew the transfer request with USCIS. SEVIS auto-terminates when notified by USCIS. |
| 18. Unauthorised Drop Below Full Course |
The student is not enrolled full-time and did not get DSO approval for a reduced course load. |
| 19. Unauthorised Employment |
Student worked in the US without the required work permission. |
| 20. Unauthorised Withdrawal |
Student stopped attending or withdrew from the course without DSO’s approval. |
| 21. Violation of Change of Status Requirements |
The student began full-time studies before USCIS approved the change from B-1/B-2/F-2/M-2 to F-1/M-1. |
For a comprehensive explanation, refer to the official SEVIS termination reasons provided by the US Department of Homeland Security. Also, check out the Latest Social Media Screening Process for US Student Visa Interviews.
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