In a groundbreaking legal victory, international students across the United States can breathe a collective sigh of relief. A federal judge has expanded a preliminary injunction that protects their immigration status, effectively halting the Trump administration’s attempt to abruptly terminate their student visas.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White made a decisive ruling that provides nationwide protection for approximately 1.3 million international students holding F-1 visas. The administration had initially used a controversial matching process that targeted students with potentially negative information associated with their names, leading to the termination of roughly 4,700 students’ tracking records.

The judge’s order came after the government repeatedly changed its approach in response to legal challenges, what White described as a “game of whack-a-mole”. By issuing a nationwide injunction, the judge ensured that students would not face unexpected deportation or adverse immigration consequences.

The legal challenge centered on the government’s violation of the federal Administrative Procedure Act. White noted that the policy had “uniformly wreaked havoc” on international students’ lives and was fundamentally unjust.

After significant public backlash and legal intervention, the administration claimed it would restore the terminated student records and promised no negative consequences. However, Judge White did not find these assurances credible, highlighting multiple contradictions in government statements.

This ruling represents a significant win for international students, protecting their ability to continue their education without fear of sudden visa revocation. It also sends a strong message about protecting the rights of non-citizen students pursuing academic opportunities in the United States.

The case underscores the critical role of judicial oversight in protecting vulnerable populations and challenging arbitrary government actions. For now, international students can focus on their studies, knowing their immigration status is secure.