Dartmouth Student Set to Have Visa Reinstated Following Federal Court Ruling

Dartmouth Student Set to Have Visa Reinstated Following Federal Court Ruling

A Chinese doctoral student at Dartmouth College is poised to have his visa reinstated after its unexpected revocation last week by Homeland Security. The federal judge’s upcoming order comes amid a broader context of visa revocations impacting international students at American universities.

Background on the Visa Revocation

Xiaotian Liu, a student in the computer science program at the prestigious Ivy League institution, faced termination of his F-1 student status last Friday. Liu’s legal representatives argued that this action occurred without prior warning, and they emphatically stated that he did not participate in any of the student protests that occurred on campus last year. This incident aligns with a new wave of visa challenges stemming from actions taken by the Trump administration.

Dartmouth’s Response

In their review of Student and Exchange Visitor Information System records, Dartmouth officials discovered the termination independently. They promptly informed Liu on the same day of their findings, as documented in court filings.

Federal Court’s Support for Liu

The federal judge announced on Wednesday her intention to order the reinstatement of Liu’s visa, according to reports from The Dartmouth, the student newspaper. Liu’s legal team contends that the revocation was both unlawful under federal administrative law and a breach of due process guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons were named as parties involved in the case.

Allegations of Unlawful Revocation

Dartmouth characterized the termination of Liu’s visa as an atypical procedure, prompting concern among many. His legal representatives have firmly asserted that Liu has not engaged in any criminal activity or encountered disciplinary actions while studying in the United States.

In the court documents, his lawyers emphasized, “He has not committed any crime or even a traffic violation. Nor has he shown any violence or participated in any protests either in the U.S. or elsewhere.” Liu’s academic track record is exemplary; he arrived in the United States in 2016 and achieved a perfect GPA of 4.0 during his Master’s program.

A Broader Context of Visa Policy Changes

Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz, representing the federal government, could not provide an explanation for the revocation during court proceedings on Wednesday. He stated, “I don’t have the facts to explain why the change in status happened at this point.” Reports indicate that Liu is not alone; another international student at Dartmouth has also experienced a visa revocation.

Advocacy for International Students

The expected ruling to reinstate Liu’s visa has been welcomed by advocates like Gilles Bissonnette, legal director of the ACLU of New Hampshire. He expressed that Liu can now continue his education and work in the critical field of computer science without fear of deportation.

Bissonnette remarked, “International students are a vital community in our state’s universities, and no administration should be allowed to circumvent the law to unilaterally strip students of status, disrupt their studies, and put them at risk of deportation.” This incident underscores the importance of protective measures for international students, particularly amidst an evolving political landscape.

Impact of Federal Funding Cuts

In a related context, President Donald Trump has initiated funding cuts to several Ivy League institutions, excluding Penn and Dartmouth, following investigations into anti-Israel protests held at these campuses since October 2023. Such funding cuts have raised concerns on academic campuses and highlight an ongoing scrutiny over campus discourse.

Moreover, the Trump administration has vowed to more aggressively address issues related to campus antisemitism, criticizing the Biden administration for failing to take action against violent protests and campus behavior.

The atmosphere created by these federal policies has escalated the pressure on universities and their international student populations, prompting heightened awareness and advocacy efforts.

The Importance of Protecting Academic Integrity

As Dartmouth navigates these complexities, the implications extend beyond Liu. The university, based in Hanover, New Hampshire, is one of the nine colonial colleges founded before the American Revolution. Maintaining its reputation and commitment to academic excellence appears crucial in light of recent immigration policies.

As discussions around international students and their rights continue to develop, the ramifications of such legal battles and administrative policies will likely resonate throughout the educational system in the U.S. and beyond.

A balanced approach, focused on fairness and upholding due process, will be vital as universities like Dartmouth strive to protect their diverse student body while adhering to federal regulations. The forthcoming decision on Liu’s visa represents not just a personal victory but also an important moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding educational equity in America.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Elizabeth Pritchett as well as The Associated Press contributed to this report.