Priya Saxena, a 28-year-old Indian PhD student, has won a significant legal victory against the Trump administration, which had been attempting to deport her from the United States. Saxena, who recently earned her doctorate in chemical and biological engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, faced the threat of deportation after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unexpectedly revoked her F-1 student visa in April 2025.
The DHS justified its decision by citing a "criminal record" against Saxena. However, this "record" stemmed from a minor traffic violation in 2021, where she failed to stop for an emergency vehicle and subsequently paid a fine. Her legal team argued that such a minor infraction did not constitute a deportable offense under U.S. immigration law. The abrupt termination of her visa also led to the deletion of her Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) record, potentially preventing her from completing her studies and graduating.
With her graduation nearing on May 10th, Saxena filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in mid-April. A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order, enabling her to finish her doctorate and attend her graduation ceremony. This week, a federal court in South Dakota issued a preliminary injunction, preventing the DHS from arresting or detaining her without court approval, allowing her to remain in the country. The judge stated that the DHS's actions "appear unlawful and are likely to cause Saxena irreparable harm".
Saxena's attorney, Jim Leach, stated that "The rule of law saved an innocent person from unlawful action by this administration". He also argued that students like Saxena represent "intellectual wealth" and should be welcomed in the country.
This case highlights a broader trend during the Trump administration of increased scrutiny and targeting of international students for deportation, even over minor infractions. Reportedly, the Trump administration launched a crackdown on immigration that has also targeted international students across the US. Visas and SEVIS of thousands of international students were removed over minor infractions, traffic violations or pro-Palestinian activism on campus. Most of the students targeted by DHS were in the US legally. DHS admitted in a recent court hearing that they scanned over 1 million international student names through an FBI database looking for criminal records. A search yielded 6,400 matches, resulting in approximately 3,000 visa revocations.
Another similar case involved Krish Lal Isserdasani, an Indian student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, whose visa was revoked weeks before his graduation due to a prior arrest where no charges were filed. A federal judge also temporarily blocked his deportation, citing a lack of due process.
These legal battles underscore the challenges faced by international students in the U.S. and the potential for unjust consequences arising from minor infractions. Saxena's legal team is now pursuing a permanent injunction to ensure her long-term status in the United States. The outcome of this case, and others like it, could have broader implications for international students and immigration policies in the country. The verdict in this case could potentially encourage more Indian students to go against the local administration with regard to the deportation notices.
