Oregon Graduate Students Win Visa Reinstatement Battle Against Trump Administration’s Deportation Push

Two graduate students attending Oregon universities have won an appeal against the Trump administration calling for the reinstatement of their visas. They have avoided detention or deportation and can continue with their studies.

Reprieve Could Be Short-Lived

However, their reprieve could be short-lived as a federal judge in Eugene granted a 14-day temporary restraining order on behalf of the students against the federal government and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), for the reinstatement of the student visas.

Two separate lawsuits were filed on behalf of the graduate students who attend the University of Oregon and the Oregon State University.

The University of Oregon student is identified as Jane Doe. She is studying for a law and a master’s degree. Attending the Oregon State University is a doctoral student identified as Aaron Ortega Gonzalez.

Neither Student Has Ever Been Charged With a Crime

The judge was told that neither of the students had ever been charged with a crime and that the revocation of their visas was done without notification.

The legal argument was their unblemished records were contrary to a ruling by Secretary of State Marco Rubio who said visas held by foreigners whose actions were harmful to national interests would be revoked.

The lawsuits claimed that the DHS does not have the authority to revoke student visas without cause.

According to the latest available information, 23 international students attending Oregon universities have had their visas revoked since the Trump administration took control of the White House.

Meanwhile, an Associated Press report says at least 1,024 students attending 160 colleges nationwide have had their visas revoked since March.