• ACLU files class-action lawsuits against the Trump administration over revocation of international students' visas.
• Approximately 1,100 international students from over 170 institutions affected, facing deportation risks.
• Court rulings have temporarily shielded some students from deportation.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has initiated legal action against the Trump administration for what it claims is the unlawful revocation of legal status for hundreds of international students in the United States. Filed in federal court, this class-action lawsuit highlights the severe consequences faced by students who abruptly lost their F-1 visas, particularly those in the midst of their academic terms, leaving them vulnerable to deportation and significant academic interruption, according to The Hill.

In this unprecedented crackdown, approximately 1,100 students from more than 170 institutions have seen their legal statuses terminated since late March. The ACLU argues that such terminations occurred without due process, causing serious academic and financial hardship, and hindering their eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) opportunities post-graduation, as noted by AA.

The lawsuits also spotlight individual cases, including students who were pursuing education in fields such as engineering and computer science. Specific allegations in the claims include lack of notice prior to visa terminations, which violates the right to due process, as emphasized by the ACLU in several court filings and reiterated in statements from international students themselves, according to India Times.

In response to the lawsuits, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the administration's actions, asserting that they do not only apply to students involved in protests or those with criminal backgrounds. However, students under threat of deportation argue that the reasons for their visa termination remain unclear or unsubstantiated, a view supported by their legal representatives, as per reports from TRT Global.

The legal landscape continues to evolve, with some courts issuing temporary restraining orders that protect students from deportation while their cases are considered. These interventions by the judiciary underscore the serious implications of the federal actions, positioning them as crucial to the ongoing discourse about immigration policies affecting international students in the U.S., as highlighted by The Hill.