WASHINGTON- A US federal court has ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement unlawfully terminated the F-1 visa status of an Indian student over a dismissed traffic case. The decision restores his legal standing and criticises the agency’s process.
The case involves Akshar Patel, an Indian national studying at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in Milwaukee (MKE). The court found that ICE acted without due process when it ended his SEVIS record based on a minor 2018 citation that had already been dismissed, TOI reported.
Federal Court Rebukes ICE Over Student Visa Termination
Akshar Patel entered the United States on an F-1 student visa and was pursuing his studies at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He has no criminal convictions. The only issue cited by authorities was a 2018 traffic case involving a speeding or reckless driving allegation. Court records confirm the case was fully dismissed.
In early 2025, ICE launched what it called the Student Criminal Alien Initiative. Officials reportedly screened around 1.3 million international students through a federal crime database. Any match, including arrests, citations, or dismissed matters, could trigger enforcement action.
Patel’s name appeared during this sweep due to the dismissed traffic citation. ICE subsequently terminated his SEVIS record, which immediately placed him out of legal status. The termination barred him from attending classes and exposed him to possible removal proceedings.
Patel challenged the decision in federal court, arguing that ICE violated the Administrative Procedure Act and denied him due process. The case was heard by Judge Ana C. Reyes, who restored his status early in the proceedings. The court criticised ICE’s actions as arbitrary and capricious.
On 27 February, the court issued its final ruling on the merits. It held that the agency’s termination of Patel’s F-1 status was unlawful.
The judge rejected the government’s argument that the case had become moot after ICE quietly reinstated his SEVIS record. The ruling formally condemned the agency’s reliance on dismissed or minor infractions to end a student’s lawful status.
Implications for International Students in the US
The ruling clarifies that dismissed or minor infractions, without conviction or evidence of risk, cannot serve as a lawful basis for terminating student status. The court emphasised that agencies must follow established procedures and provide due process before taking actions that disrupt academic careers and immigration standing.
For international students, the case underscores the importance of procedural safeguards in visa administration. It also signals judicial scrutiny of large-scale database sweeps that do not distinguish between convictions and dismissed cases.
The decision may influence how ICE and other federal agencies conduct future compliance reviews involving F-1 visa holders. It reinforces that administrative actions affecting immigration status must meet legal standards of fairness and rational decision-making.
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