Indian student wins landmark court stay against Trump's visa crackdown

In a striking legal victory, a US federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Krish Lal Isserdasani, a 21-year-old Indian undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, after his F-1 student visa was abruptly revoked by the Trump administration.

Isserdasani, who has been pursuing a bachelor’s degree since 2021, was just weeks away from graduation when the Department of Homeland Security terminated his Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record. The termination would have barred him from completing his final semester, applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT), and remaining in the US legally beyond May 2 — eight days before his scheduled graduation on May 10.

Court documents state Isserdasani had maintained strong academic standing and was on track to graduate. The sudden action stems from a November 22, 2024 arrest for disorderly conduct. However, the local district attorney declined to pursue charges after reviewing the incident, and Isserdasani was never required to appear in court. The student believed the matter had been resolved with no immigration implications.

Nonetheless, on April 4, Isserdasani was informed via email by the university’s International Student Services office that his SEVIS record had been terminated. The reason, as cited by the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program, was a failure to maintain status due to being “identified in criminal records check and/or [having] had their VISA revoked.”

According to court filings, Isserdasani received no prior communication from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the State Department, or the university regarding the alleged visa revocation. He was given no opportunity to respond or rectify the situation.

“Isserdasani was blindsided,” said court filings. “He was given no warning, no chance to explain or correct any misunderstanding. He now faces immediate removal, loss of a $17,500 tuition investment for the current semester, and psychological distress stemming from fear of detention.”

The student and his family have invested over $240,000 in his US education. In addition to tuition losses, Isserdasani would be liable for months of rent despite facing forced departure. The court also noted the emotional toll, citing his fear of leaving his apartment out of concern for sudden apprehension by immigration authorities.

In response, US District Judge William Conley issued a temporary restraining order preventing the government from enforcing the visa termination. The order bars any action that would penalize Isserdasani based on the SEVIS revocation, including detention or deportation, until a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for April 28.

“This is believed to be one of the first national victories for international students whose SEVIS records were revoked without due process,” said Shabnam Lotfi, Isserdasani’s attorney. “There are more than 1,300 students across the U.S. facing similar situations.”

The case unfolds against the backdrop of a broader Trump-era immigration crackdown that has increasingly targeted foreign nationals, including students at elite institutions. Legal experts say it could set a crucial precedent for how visa status decisions are challenged in court.