US judge halts deportation of Indian student after sudden visa termination

Washington: A US federal judge has temporarily halted the deportation of a 21-year-old Indian student after the Trump administration revoked his F-1 visa without prior notice.

Krishlal Isardasani, an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, had been pursuing a degree in computer engineering since 2021.

He is currently in the final semester of his final year, with less than 30 days remaining until his graduation on May 10, 2025, according to court documents accessed by a news agency.

Isardasani was arrested on November 22, 2024, following a verbal altercation with another group while returning from a bar late at night. However, the district attorney declined to press charges after reviewing the case, and Isardasani was not required to appear in court.

Despite the case being dropped, the university’s International Student Services (ISS) office notified him via email on April 4, 2025, that his Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) record had been terminated.

Court documents noted that Isardasani received no prior warning or opportunity to defend himself before his F-1 visa was revoked. He was also not contacted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the university, or the State Department regarding the termination.

The visa termination has also rendered Isardasani ineligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which would have allowed him to gain work experience related to his field of study after graduation.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 28.