Bend, Ore. — A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked the deportation of two international students after their visas were abruptly terminated earlier this month, raising concerns over due process and the legal authority of U.S. immigration officials.
U.S. District Judge Michael McShane issued a 14-day temporary restraining order on Monday, directing the federal government to reinstate the students’ visa status while the court considers broader legal challenges to the terminations. The ruling came in response to lawsuits filed by students at Oregon State University and the University of Oregon.
During a hearing in Eugene, Judge McShane pressed federal attorneys on what legal framework U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) used in revoking the visas. “There has to be some regulations for when it’s appropriate and not appropriate. What regulation is ICE following here?” McShane asked, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Conti, representing the Department of Homeland Security, argued that the agency had not yet issued a final decision and maintained that the students were not facing irreparable harm. However, the judge appeared unconvinced, citing the lack of clear procedural grounds for the government’s actions.
The lawsuits were brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and a private immigration law firm, who contend the visa terminations were executed “without any notice or meaningful explanation,” violating the students’ rights and potentially those of their universities.
One of the plaintiffs, Aaron Ortega Gonzalez, a 32-year-old Mexican citizen, is pursuing a doctoral degree in rangeland ecology at Oregon State University. The second plaintiff, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, is a 29-year-old British graduate student pursuing dual master’s degrees at the University of Oregon.
Both students claim they were blindsided by the visa revocations and faced the immediate threat of removal from the country.
This case is part of a growing national controversy. Across the United States, more than 1,000 international students have reportedly had their visas revoked or legal status rescinded—often with little to no warning. In response, legal challenges have been mounted in several states, including Georgia, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Montana, and Washington, where federal judges have similarly granted temporary protections.
The Department of Homeland Security has yet to comment publicly on the Oregon ruling. Meanwhile, advocates say the court’s decision offers a critical reprieve and underscores the importance of due process in immigration enforcement.
The case is expected to return to court later this month for further proceedings.
