ICE Threatens OPT Students With SEVIS Termination

Key Takeaways

• ICE warned at least 35 OPT students about SEVIS termination and possible deportation for violating employment reporting rules.
• Over 4,700 SEVIS terminations occurred between January and April 2025; many were later temporarily restored after lawsuits.
• OPT students must report employment within 90 days or face SEVIS termination and risk losing legal status in the U.S.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has started sending new warnings to international students in the United States concerning the risk of losing their legal status. This move targets students who are in the country under Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that allows recent graduates to work and gain experience in their field of study. At least 35 students have received direct notices, but many more could be at risk.

For these students, the main worry is termination of their status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the key database used to track and manage non-immigrant students and exchange visitors who are in the United States. When a SEVIS record is terminated, the student might face removal from the country or even be required to leave immediately.

This article looks at what has happened, why ICE is acting now, what it means for international students and universities, and what steps students should be taking in response.

What Is SEVIS and Why Does It Matter?

SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is managed by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Every international student or exchange visitor in the United States who comes under the F, M, or J visas must have an active record in SEVIS. This system records details such as the student’s school, program, visa type, and work permission—such as being on Optional Practical Training.

If your SEVIS record is “active,” you’re treated as legally present under your visa terms. If it’s terminated, you lose that status and could face being removed from the country.

For many students, especially those on OPT, keeping an active SEVIS record means reporting employment and any other required updates within strict timelines. If these details are missed, SEVIS status can change and can create serious legal trouble for the student.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these enforcement practices and the technical status in SEVIS can have immediate, real-world effects, even before a person has a chance to explain or correct a mistake.

ICE’s Recent Warnings to OPT Students

Lately, ICE has started sending direct notices to students on Optional Practical Training. These notices remind students that they must report their employment within 90 days of starting OPT. If they do not, their SEVIS record could be terminated.

Key details include:

• Students on OPT are only permitted a total of 90 days without a job (unemployment) during their 12-month OPT period.
• If you go over that limit—even unintentionally—your SEVIS record is at risk of being terminated.
• Once your SEVIS status is terminated, removal (deportation) proceedings may begin.
• ICE and DHS now sign these notices, which shows a return to the strict policies from the Trump administration in 2020.

Many international students feel anxiety from these notices and may be unsure where they stand legally. University international student advisers and immigration lawyers are fielding many questions about what to do if a student gets such a notice, or worries they might receive one.

Important Timeline: What OPT Students Must Do

If you are on Optional Practical Training, these are the key steps you need to follow:

1. Start OPT: After graduation, you have a fixed time to find a qualifying job and report it to your school’s designated official.
2. Report Employment: You must let your university know about your OPT employer within 90 days.
3. Stay Below Unemployment Cap: You can only have up to 90 days of unemployment while on OPT.
4. Update Changes: If you change jobs or move, let your university update your SEVIS record.

If you miss any of these steps, your SEVIS record might be marked for termination, which can lead to legal problems and having to leave the United States.

The Background: Restoration, Terminations, and Policy Changes

The current warnings come just weeks after ICE reversed thousands of SEVIS terminations from earlier in 2025. Here’s how the situation unfolded:

• Early 2025: More than 4,700 international student SEVIS records were terminated between January and April.
• Reasons for Termination: Some terminations happened because of run-ins with police, criminal charges that were later dropped, old misdemeanors, or even content flagged by automated social media scans.
• Legal Backlash: Many students sued the government, saying their terminations were wrong or unfair.
• Court Orders: Judges issued emergency orders in more than 35 cases, telling ICE to undo the terminations and put students back to “active” status in SEVIS.

On April 25, 2025, the Trump administration restored SEVIS records for many affected students. However, a lawyer for the Department of Justice made it clear—restoring these records is only temporary while ICE writes new rules for how and when SEVIS records can be terminated.

This back-and-forth has left students feeling uncertain and forced universities to keep a close watch on new policies and enforcement.

The Legal Side: Does Termination Mean You Have to Leave?

Official government lawyers say that just because a SEVIS record is terminated does not always mean a student must immediately leave the United States. But federal judges, in their orders, pointed to past Department of Homeland Security guidance, which clearly states that if a student’s SEVIS record is terminated by their school, the student is expected to leave the country.

This leaves many students feeling confused and anxious. On paper, the two positions might seem different, but in practice, students whose records are terminated often receive notices to depart.

VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that these mixed messages can result in panic, legal expenses, and, in some cases, risk of arrest or immediate removal.

Why Is ICE Focusing on OPT Now?

OPT is popular with international students because it gives them a way to get professional work experience in the United States after graduating. However, it is also an immigration status with many detailed rules and frequent updates.

The Biden administration had taken a more relaxed approach to enforcement for international students, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. But the current actions from ICE, including the new warnings with direct signatures from ICE and DHS, show a return to earlier, tougher policies last seen in 2020.

ICE’s own alerts state that “non-compliance with OPT reporting requirements will result in termination of the SEVIS record and possible removal.” The speed and scope of the current notices catch some by surprise, especially just after ICE restored many records following lawsuits.

According to government sources, some recent terminations were flagged by automated tools, including artificial intelligence programs that scan social media or background records. Some students lost their SEVIS status over minor or outdated issues, such as a traffic ticket, or because a charge was later dropped.

Who Is Affected?

• International Students on OPT: All F-1 visa holders doing post-completion OPT are expected to report their employment and avoid going past the 90-day unemployment rule.
• STEM OPT Students: Those on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) OPT extensions are especially anxious because the rules are strict and changing frequently. It’s still not entirely clear if the current warning wave affects them directly, but many are watching closely.
• Universities: International student advisers must now keep accurate, up-to-date records and answer more questions from affected students. They also need to monitor changes issued by ICE and DHS.
• Employers: U.S. companies hoping to hire talented graduates worry the stricter rules could make it harder to find and keep skilled workers from overseas.

What Happened With The Legal Challenges?

Starting in early 2025, after thousands of SEVIS terminations, affected students began filing lawsuits against DHS and ICE. In over 35 such cases, federal courts issued emergency temporary restraining orders. These orders said:

• The government must restore students’ SEVIS records to active status.
• Enforcement actions—like arrest or forced removal—must stop while the court reviews the case.

These lawsuits shed light on how technical errors, police records, or social media actions could trigger a termination, even if the student didn’t actually break any major law.

Following the legal pressure, ICE restored SEVIS records for large numbers of students as of April 25, 2025. However, at every step, officials warned that these fixes might only be temporary.

ICE is now working on a new set of rules for how and when they’ll terminate SEVIS records going forward. This suggests that students could face another wave of enforcement once those rules are finalized.

Practical Steps for Students

For international students currently on OPT or planning to use it soon, it’s extremely important to:

• Keep every piece of documentation showing employment, pay, and communication with employers.
• Report any new job, address change, or status change as soon as possible to your school’s Designated School Official (DSO).
• Regularly check your SEVIS record through your school or the official ICE SEVIS alerts page for new updates or requirements.
• If you receive a warning or notice about your SEVIS record, contact a qualified immigration attorney, your university’s international student office, or both—right away.
• If facing possible termination due to arrest, past charges, or mistaken identity, be prepared to provide proof of innocence or resolution.
• Avoid long gaps between work or changing jobs; aim for documented employment at all times during your OPT period.

The Role of Universities and Advisers

University officials who work with international students have had to respond quickly to these waves of terminations and government warnings. Most international student offices now:

• Review every OPT student’s paperwork before and after graduation.
• Train staff to use the SEVIS database to flag and correct errors.
• Provide workshops and emails to remind students about the 90-day unemployment rule and reporting steps.
• Contact ICE and DHS for clarification when new policies are announced or when students are flagged for possible termination.

Some schools are starting to collect clearer, time-stamped proof of reported employment and to keep detailed logs, just in case a termination notice occurs months later.

Broader Impact and Unanswered Questions

Many experts in immigration circles worry that the confusion surrounding SEVIS, and the mixed signals from ICE and DHS, could hurt the United States 🇺🇸 as a top destination for global talent:

• Students from around the world may think twice before studying in the United States 🇺🇸, especially if their legal status can be lost over technical errors or old issues.
• U.S. colleges, which rely on international student tuition and reputation, could lose out to schools in other countries.
• The broader labor market might be less welcoming to international graduates, especially in STEM areas where demand for talent is highest.

While ICE and DHS say they are simply enforcing existing laws, university officials, students, and advocates say more clear guidance and consistent rules are urgently needed.

What Comes Next?

ICE has said the temporary restoration of SEVIS records is not permanent. The agency is now working on a new set of policies. Until those are released, students remain at risk for sudden changes or enforcement. It’s expected that new regulations could roll out later in 2025.

Students, universities, and employers are advised to:

• Stay in regular contact with university international offices for updates.
• Closely monitor any official communications from ICE, DHS, or SEVIS.
• Consult immigration lawyers when facing any threat of SEVIS termination.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website provides ongoing alerts and enforcement updates, directly from ICE.

Final Thoughts

International students who come to the United States 🇺🇸 for study and work are now facing new uncertainty due to SEVIS enforcement and changing rules. Being proactive—filing updates on time, keeping records, and seeking help early when there’s a problem—is the best way to avoid legal troubles. Schools and advisers play a key role in protecting students’ legal standing and in keeping important channels of information open.

The next big moments will come when ICE releases its revised policies for SEVIS terminations. Until then, the best move for OPT students is to stay informed and act fast to meet all requirements.

For detailed guidance, refer to your university’s international office, and consider reviewing VisaVerge.com’s reporting for updates on ICE, SEVIS, and the future of Optional Practical Training in the United States 🇺🇸.

Learn Today

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → A U.S. government agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including managing student visa compliance and SEVIS oversight.
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) → A U.S. government-run online system tracking international students’ information, visa status, employment, and school enrollment.
OPT (Optional Practical Training) → A program letting international students on F-1 visas gain work experience in their field for up to 12 months post-graduation.
Unemployment Cap → The maximum number of days—90—an OPT student can be unemployed before risking SEVIS termination and losing legal status.
DSO (Designated School Official) → A university staff member authorized to maintain SEVIS records and assist international students with compliance and reporting.

This Article in a Nutshell

International students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) face increasing risk as ICE issues new warnings about SEVIS status termination. Strict reporting timelines mean missing employment updates can trigger deportation. Temporary relief followed legal action, but students must stay vigilant, document employment, and check SEVIS status to maintain legal protection in the U.S.
— By VisaVerge.com

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