UIC Student’s Immigration Status Restored After Leaving the US

Introduction to the Issue

An international student forced to abruptly leave Chicago for his home country of India says his legal immigration status has been restored, but he feels deeply conflicted about returning to the United States. His status was revoked in early April without warning.

Background on the Student’s Situation

“What is going to make it hard for me to choose to come to the U.S. is that anything like this can happen again,” said Lev, an alias used to protect the student’s identity. “I want to make sure that my future is secure, that I am able to study, work and then move onto the next goal that I have in life, instead of having these abrupt situations where I have to completely change tracks.” Lev, who recently completed his master’s degree at the University of Illinois Chicago, is one of more than 1,500 international students whose right to pursue higher education and work in the U.S. abruptly was terminated this month by the Trump administration without explanation or due process.

The Decision to Leave the US

The 28-year-old was told by the State Department that at any point, he could be detained by immigration authorities and sent to a country other than India. He decided to leave the U.S. on April 13. He was back in India at his parents’ house last week when he learned that, following multiple court challenges, federal officials were changing course and had reinstated the lawful immigration status of some students, including his own.

Reinstatement and Its Implications

Despite the reversal, Lev remains wary of returning and fearful that he could be targeted again. “At first, I was a little bit hopeful,” Lev said. “But then I talked to one lawyer and another student legal services official from UIC, and both told me that even if [my status] is reinstated, the fact that it was terminated will obviously come up when I am trying to reapply [to re-enter the country].”

Future Plans and Concerns

Lev misses his friends in the U.S. and wants the opportunity to visit more of the country’s national parks with them — he loves the outdoors and being active. However, he does not want to return until the country has moved past the chaos and uncertainty imposed by the Trump administration. On Monday, federal officials reportedly circulated a new policy under which the State Department could revoke students’ visas, after which Immigration and Customs Enforcement could terminate their legal status for any reason. Immigration attorneys are already challenging the Trump administration’s move.

Alternative Plans

For now, Lev plans to apply to Ph.D. programs in finance in Germany. He has been studying for the GRE and trying to learn German. He hopes to finish his doctorate and work for several years at a bank, until he can apply for college teaching jobs in the U.S. “I think a country is its people and not the government,” Lev said. “My friends are still my friends. Everyone I know in the U.S. is still in support and understanding of [my situation]. … I think there’s a time in every country where there’s some form of chaotic element to it, and we just need to make sure that in the future … we move forward from it.”

Conclusion

The situation with Lev and other international students highlights the challenges and uncertainties faced by those seeking to study and work in the United States under the current administration. The restoration of Lev’s status, although a positive development, does not erase the fear and mistrust created by the arbitrary revocation of his and others’ immigration statuses. As Lev considers his future, his story underscores the need for clarity, stability, and fairness in U.S. immigration policies.

FAQs

• Q: Why was Lev’s immigration status revoked?
  • A: Lev’s immigration status was revoked in early April without warning as part of a broader action by the Trump administration affecting over 1,500 international students.
• Q: What happened after Lev left the US?
  • A: After leaving the US, Lev learned that his lawful immigration status had been reinstated following court challenges.
• Q: Is Lev planning to return to the US?
  • A: Lev is currently wary of returning to the US due to fear of being targeted again and is considering alternative plans, such as pursuing a Ph.D. in Germany.
• Q: What are the implications of the reinstatement of Lev’s status?
  • A: Despite the reinstatement, the fact that Lev’s status was terminated could affect his future applications to re-enter the country.
• Q: How are immigration attorneys responding to the situation?
  • A: Immigration attorneys are challenging the Trump administration’s moves, including a new policy that could allow for the revocation of students’ visas and termination of their legal status for any reason.