The terminated SEVIS records of international students have been restored by ICE. This follows a period of SEVIS records being terminated for many international students. Advocacy groups followed up these actions by taking immigration authorities to court.

While the scope of the restoration isn’t clear, some of the students whose SEVIS records were terminated were F-1 visa students. Some had filed litigation prior to getting them restored, while some had not. It’s currently unknown if students who had their SEVIS records terminated for political protest have gotten them restored.

No formal announcement has been made by ICE or any other immigration authorities. Many have instead found out about the restorations through clients or university officials.

It’s highly recommended that students reach out to their Designated School Officials (DSOs) to check if their SEVIS record has been restored. They should also check if their OPT (where applicable), has been accurately restored. If the record is not accurate, the DSO should request a correction, or “data fix” through the SEVP Response Center (SRC).

There have not been any reports of revoked visas being restored. An international student whose visa has been revoked, but whose SEVIS record was restored, need to reapply for a visa if they leave the U.S. If they have already left, they must reapply for a visa before returning.

It’s unclear if these restorations are an exception or the beginning of a larger trend of rolling back visa revocations.

As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.

F-1 Student F-1 Visa ICE SEVIS U.S. Immigration Enforcement