Key Takeaways
• A federal judge ordered student visas restored for two Oregon students revoked by the Trump administration on May 9, 2025.
• The temporary restraining order stops deportation or detention for 14 days while lawsuits examine due process violations.
• More than 1,024 students nationally experienced similar sudden visa cancellations, raising legal and policy concerns across universities.
A federal judge has ordered the United States 🇺🇸 government to restore student visas for two Oregon students whose status was revoked by the Trump administration. This decision, made on May 9, 2025, brings relief to these students as they can now remain in the country while their legal cases continue. The judge’s ruling also highlights broader questions about how international students are treated, the powers different government agencies have, and the importance of due process in immigration matters.
Judge’s Temporary Ruling for Oregon Students
On May 9, 2025, a federal judge sitting in Eugene issued a temporary restraining order for two separate lawsuits. This order requires the Trump administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reinstate the visas that had been taken away from two Oregon students. In simple terms, the government must give these students their legal status back for the next 14 days, cannot detain them, and must not try to deport them during this period.
The key point here is that this order only lasts for 14 days, giving the students a bit of breathing room. It lets them stay in the United States 🇺🇸 legally and continue their studies while their cases are looked at further.
Who Are the Students Involved?
This case is about two people studying at respected universities in Oregon:
1. Aaron Ortega Gonzalez
– He is a doctoral student at Oregon State University.
– His research looks at the effects of wildfires on ranchlands.
– Aaron is a citizen of Mexico 🇲🇽. He got his student visa in 2021.
– He first studied in Mexico 🇲🇽 for his undergraduate degree, then completed a master’s degree in Texas.
– His journey shows the long path some international students take to study and work in the United States 🇺🇸.
2. Jane Doe (not her real name)
– Jane Doe is a student at the University of Oregon.
– She is working on both a law degree and a master’s degree.
Law firms and organizations helping the students include the ACLU of Oregon, Innovation Law Lab, and Nelson Smith LLP. They say that neither student was given any explanation for why their visas were taken away, a point that is key to their legal case.
How Did the Visa Revocations Happen?
The two Oregon students are just a small part of a much bigger trend. Over the last few months, many international students have lost their visas with little or no warning, both in Oregon and across the United States 🇺🇸.
Some key data:
– At least 23 students from Oregon State University, Portland Community College, Portland State University, and the University of Oregon had their visas cancelled.
– Across the United States 🇺🇸, the Associated Press found that 1,024 students at 160 colleges faced similar problems by early May 2025.
Often, students only learned about the visa revocations when school officials checked an online government database used for tracking students’ visa records. Many students had no idea something was wrong until a counselor or adviser called them, which caused fear and confusion.
In March 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Department of State was cancelling visas for people “acting counter to national interests.” He mentioned this included those who protested Israel’s war in Gaza or people facing criminal charges. However, for students like Aaron Ortega Gonzalez and Jane Doe, their schools and lawyers insist they had broken no school or legal rules.
Legal Arguments: What Are the Lawsuits About?
The lawsuits against the Trump administration are based on some clear points:
- Lack of Proper Authority: The lawyers argue that the Department of Homeland Security cannot cancel student visas without having good reason, unless Congress changes the law. Current immigration law says that, normally, a student can lose their visa only if they:
- Are not registered for a full course load (not taking enough classes)
- Work in the United States 🇺🇸 without permission
- Are found guilty of a serious (violent) crime
The lawsuits say neither student at the center of this ruling did any of these things.
- No Notice or Explanation: The students and their legal teams say that their visas were cancelled without any warning and with no clear reason. They argue this violated their due process rights, which means the government can’t take away someone’s rights or status without following the correct legal steps.
- Pattern of Action Nationwide: The Oregon cases are not alone. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Trump administration had already faced many lawsuits and court restraining orders elsewhere about similar visa cancellations. Judges in other regions already called these actions “flagrantly illegal” because the terminations often skipped the normal review process.
Broader Context: Why Is This Issue So Important?
Losing a student visa is not just an inconvenience. It can turn an international student’s entire life upside down:
- Loss of Legal Status: When a student visa is cancelled, the student becomes undocumented. This means they could be targeted by immigration enforcement, even if they did nothing wrong.
- Impact on Studies: Students risk being kicked out of school and losing months or years of hard work.
- Violating Trust: Many international students trust that, if they follow the rules, they are safe. Secret or surprise visa cancellations break this trust.
This is also a problem for universities and for the broader United States 🇺🇸 higher education system. International students play key roles in research, teaching, and cultural exchange. When dozens or hundreds of students lose their visas for unclear reasons, it makes others think twice about coming here to study, which can hurt colleges and the country’s reputation.
What Did the Court’s Decision Do?
With this temporary ruling, the federal judge ordered that both Oregon students have their visas restored right away. For at least 14 days:
– Both students are allowed to remain in the United States 🇺🇸 and continue their studies.
– The government cannot arrest or deport them.
– The administration must make the visa revocations as if they never happened, at least during this time.
This is a huge step for Aaron Ortega Gonzalez and Jane Doe. While the order is temporary, it shows the court believes there are serious questions about whether the government actions were legal.
What Happens Next?
This decision is just one step in a much longer legal fight. Over the next two weeks, the court will gather more information. Lawyers for both sides will argue whether the government followed the proper steps when it cancelled these students’ visas.
If the students and their legal teams can prove that their rights were ignored or that the government did not have authority to act, the judge could make this protection last longer. That could also help other students in similar situations.
What Do the Legal Documents Say?
According to the lawsuits and case records:
– The Department of Homeland Security cannot act alone in cancelling student visas except for reasons set by Congress and existing law.
– The laws are clear: a student must be given a reason, must have a chance to fix any problems, and must be notified in a timely manner.
– For Aaron Ortega Gonzalez and Jane Doe, lawyers insist none of the legal grounds for termination applied, as they were both in good standing with their schools and had not broken any rules.
How Are Students’ Visas normally Managed?
Normally, international students enter the United States 🇺🇸 on an F-1 student visa. They are tracked through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, called SEVIS. Universities and colleges help students keep their status by making sure they enroll in enough classes, don’t work illegally, and follow all the regulations.
If a problem arises—for example, a student stops attending class—schools are supposed to work with the student and the government to fix it. Direct and sudden visa revocation, without any school notice or misconduct, is rare and very serious.
For more information about student visas and their requirements, visit the U.S. Department of State’s official page on student visas.
Patterns from the Trump Administration
The Trump administration has drawn intense scrutiny for its handling of international students and visa policy. Several months before the Oregon lawsuits, federal judges in other states issued emergency orders stopping similar visa terminations. In fact, after repeated court pressure, the Trump administration had already started to backtrack, restoring some student records that had been removed “without proper review.”
Many of the court filings and news reports state that these actions were done “quietly,” often without any explanation. This lack of transparency has fueled worry and anger from students, schools, and even lawmakers across the country.
What Is the Role of a Federal Judge in Immigration Cases?
A federal judge oversees the decisions and actions of government agencies to make sure they follow the law. In immigration cases like this, federal judges can issue restraining orders, block deportations, and require the government to undo changes that are potentially illegal.
Judges do not decide right away whether someone can stay in the United States 🇺🇸 permanently. The current orders simply press “pause” so courts can take a deeper look.
Impact on Oregon Students and Others
While this ruling is a win for the two Oregon students named, it also carries weight for many others:
– Students at other Oregon schools watch closely to see if their own visas might be restored.
– Universities feel pressure to speak up for their international students, to protect both individuals and the school’s reputation.
– The ruling creates a legal example for similar cases around the United States 🇺🇸.
Differing Viewpoints
Not everyone agrees on how student visas should be handled. Supporters of the Trump administration’s approach argue that the United States 🇺🇸 must protect its national interests and can cancel visas for people who break rules or pose risks.
However, critics point out that cancelling visas without clear proof or explanation violates both the law and basic fairness. They warn that such steps hurt the lives of students who have done nothing wrong, threaten the trust between students and schools, and could discourage bright people from coming to the United States 🇺🇸 to study.
What Should International Students Do Now?
For international students currently studying in the United States 🇺🇸, this case shows the importance of staying informed and in close contact with school advisers. If you have questions about your visa, the Department of State’s website on student visas is a good starting point.
If you receive notice of a problem, speak to your designated school official (DSO) right away and seek legal advice if needed.
Conclusion: A Turning Point
The federal judge’s order to restore the visas of the two Oregon students shines a spotlight on the power government agencies hold—and the checks that courts can put in place. It also serves as a warning to the Trump administration about following proper legal procedure. As these cases move forward, courts will play a major role in protecting not just these students, but all international students who come to the United States 🇺🇸 seeking education and opportunity.
Universities, students, and immigration officials alike will be watching the outcome. As more facts come to light and as more students seek help, the balance between protecting national interests and protecting individual rights will keep being tested in court. For up-to-date reporting and thoughtful analysis on these important immigration issues, VisaVerge.com remains a trusted and authoritative source.
Learn Today
Temporary Restraining Order → A short-term court order preventing certain governmental actions, used here to halt student visa revocations for 14 days.
Due Process → Legal principle requiring the government to follow fair procedures before depriving a person of rights or legal status.
F-1 Student Visa → A nonimmigrant visa allowing international students to study full-time at accredited U.S. colleges or universities.
SEVIS → The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a database tracking international students’ visa status and compliance with regulations.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → U.S. federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, including oversight of visa status and deportation processes.
This Article in a Nutshell
A federal judge’s order on May 9, 2025, temporarily restored student visas for two Oregon students, blocking deportation and detention. This 14-day relief highlights ongoing legal battles around due process, the Trump administration’s visa policies, and their wider consequences for international students throughout the United States higher education system.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Oregon moves to ban immigration status discrimination in housing
• University of Oregon students face visa revocations by Homeland Security
• University of Oregon Addresses Student Visa Revocation Issue
• Oregon Senate Backs Ban on Tenant Bias Over Immigration Status
• University of Oregon Students Rally Against Immigration Policies
