INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Today the ACLU of Indiana filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on behalf of seven Indiana international students whose lawful status was abruptly terminated without explanation. The lawsuit asks the U.S. District Court to allow the plaintiffs to continue their studies by reinstating their international student status.
The suit alleges that, because the students were offered no opportunity to contest the decision, DHS violated their Fifth Amendment due process rights. It also alleges that DHS’s actions are contrary to federal law and the Constitution and violate the Administrative Procedure Act. A temporary restraining order has been requested to provide immediate protection to the students.
Of the students named in the lawsuit, six are citizens of China attending Purdue University or Indiana University Indianapolis. One is a citizen of Nigeria attending the University of Notre Dame. Two of the students named in the lawsuit are slated to graduate this May.
“There is no rhyme or reason for DHS’s action. To terminate an international student’s status, the U.S. government must adhere to regulatory standards and provide basic due process, which it has failed to do.” ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk said. “The impact on these students’ lives is profound, and now they live in fear of being deported at any moment. We're calling on the court to take immediate steps to stop these unlawful actions.”
The complaint is available here.
