Immigration updates: May 28, 2025

Hi everyone:

Last week we provided a fact sheet on student visa revocations, and DHS’ initiative to more closely vet students and travelers for their social media history.

Shortly after that newsletter, the Trump Administration attempted to revoke visas for Harvard’s international students based on the same antisemitism concerns,*** affecting over 7,000 students: 27% of Harvard’s enrollment. About 24 hours later, Harvard  filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt the revocations nationwide. The TRO was granted very shortly thereafter and will stay in place while the case proceeds, with the next hearing scheduled for May 29.

The university’s lawsuit contends that the government’s actions are retaliatory, violating their First Amendment free speech Fifth Amendment due process rights. The court’s decision allows Harvard to continue enrolling international students while the case proceeds, with a follow-up hearing on the order scheduled for May 29. Updates from Harvard can be found here. The ACLU has filed challenges across the country on behalf of students, in addition to numerous other lawsuits filed by students. 

In addition to targeting Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, the administration has directed federal agencies to cancel around $100 million in contracts with the university, as well as suspending over $2.6 billion in federal research grants, all of which are also being challenged in litigation.

Turns out Germany is happy to take them, though. 

*** Legally, the action was a revocation of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor (aka SEVIS) Program certification, which is administered by ICE. A revocation of a visa is a different action taken by either the U.S. Department of State or Customs and Border Protection. Practically speaking, however, the actions have the same result: terminating the person’s ability to enter into, or to remain in, the U.S. under the classification of academic student or exchange visitor.

Also: if you are in immigration court, don’t read this flyer, and keep an eye out for ICE; USCIS updated it’s guidance on employment documents for Venezuelans under TPS (ending TPS and work permits under the 2023 designation); and the administration can’t keep removing people to Sudan without finding out if they’re actually supposed to be removed. But the President would still like to hand out a few extra green cards: or rather, gold cards.

And stuff about me for the lawyers: we wrote about why we wrote about legal reform; my Lawline CLEs of H-1B alternatives and immigration pathways for students are live; and AI & Ethics will be presented live on Friday. 

That’s it for the week. Thanks for reading, and let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to cover.

MB

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Matthew Blaisdell, Esq.

Sunset Immigration PLLC

219 36th Street, Ste 511

Brooklyn, NY 11232

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