Indian and Chinese Students File Lawsuit Against U.S. Department of Homeland Security Over F-1 Visa Cancellations

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2025: A group of international students from India and China have filed a lawsuit in a New Hampshire District Court against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and immigration officials. The students allege that the sudden and unlawful termination of their F-1 visa status has forced them to discontinue their studies, leaving them in a state of legal and academic limbo.

The petitioners include three Indian students — Linkith Babu Gorela, Dhanuj Kumar Gummadavelly, and Manikanta Pasula, along with two Chinese nationals, Hangrui Zhang and Haoyang. They are being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and affiliated attorneys.

Visa Termination Without Notice: Students Left in Crisis

According to the lawsuit, the students were not issued any prior warning or notification before the abrupt revocation of their F-1 student visa status. As a result, they are now considered unauthorized immigrants, exposing them to potential detention, deportation, and ineligibility to complete their degrees or pursue post-graduation training programs (OPT).

“The government has acted without due process,” stated the students’ legal team.
“These actions violate both federal procedure and the educational rights of international students legally residing in the United States.”

Impact on Education and Immigration Status

The F-1 visa is granted to international students pursuing full-time academic programs in the U.S. Without this status:

• Students must immediately leave the country or risk legal penalties

• They are ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• Their academic records may remain incomplete, affecting future education or employment opportunities

The plaintiffs argue that the U.S. government’s actions violate constitutional rights, including due process under the Fifth Amendment, by not offering an opportunity to contest the visa cancellations.

Broader Implications for International Students

This case is being closely watched by immigration experts, universities, and international student communities, particularly from India and China, which represent the two largest groups of foreign students in the U.S.

According to recent data, more than 300,000 Indian and Chinese students are enrolled in U.S. institutions, contributing significantly to the higher education economy.

The lawsuit may set a precedent for policy reforms, especially in how visa revocations are handled in future cases involving students who are otherwise in good academic and legal standing.