On April 24, 2025, international student communities across the United States began reporting a surprising and significant development: the terminated SEVIS record restoration by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (ICE SEVP). These restorations follow growing legal pressure and recent litigation challenging the agency’s termination of F-1 student statuses.
Although ICE has not made a formal public announcement, legal representatives involved in recent cases report that the agency has begun actively reactivating SEVIS records—often without students having to take legal action. Some students impacted by these restorations had filed lawsuits, while others had not. Importantly, even students with previous infractions or arrest histories have seen their records reactivated.
According to reports shared by litigation counsel, ICE is in the process of developing a new internal policy to govern SEVIS record terminations. Until that policy is released, ICE has stated that:
- SEVIS records for plaintiffs and similarly situated students will remain in “Active” status or be re-activated.
- ICE will not take adverse SEVIS action based solely on NCIC findings previously used to justify recent terminations.
- However, ICE retains the authority to terminate SEVIS records under broader discretionary powers.
What Should International Students Do Now?
If you are an F-1 student who experienced a recent SEVIS termination, you should take the following steps immediately:
- Contact your DSO (Designated School Official): Ask them to verify whether your SEVIS record—and any related OPT (Optional Practical Training)—has been restored and is up to date.
- Request a Data Fix: If your record is not accurate, your DSO should submit a correction request through the SEVP Response Center (SRC).
- Re-verify Your Visa Status Before Travel: If your visa was revoked during this period but your SEVIS record has now been restored, please note that your visa remains invalid for reentry. You will likely need to apply for a new visa before returning to the U.S. if you travel internationally.
What Comes Next?
While the restoration of SEVIS records is a welcome relief for many international students, the lack of an official ICE policy release leaves uncertainty about who qualifies for reactivation and under what conditions. The forthcoming ICE framework will likely clarify:
- The criteria used to terminate and restore SEVIS records,
- The role of litigation in prompting restoration,
- And the long-term implications for students affected during this period.
We will continue to monitor updates from USCIS, DHS, and ICE and provide timely guidance as more formal procedures are released.
Ahluwalia Law Offices remains committed to advocating for the rights and fair treatment of international students and foreign nationals. If you believe your SEVIS record was wrongfully terminated or remains inactive, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our legal team to assess your options.
