May 2, 2025/Midnight
Erie PA. – Two students at Gannon University, Zeel Patel, and Vraj V. Patel, have filed federal lawsuits against the Trump administration, alleging that their legal status was terminated without valid justification. Their cases have drawn attention to broader issues affecting international students nationwide.
Zeel Patel, a graduate student in management and methods studies, and Vraj V. Patel, an undergraduate nearing completion of his degree in information systems, both found that their student visas had been revoked earlier this month.
The reasons cited for these terminations include minor infractions such as roommate disputes and traffic tickets. These actions have caused significant stress and anxiety for the students, who fear detention and the loss of their substantial financial investment in their education.
The legal process began with Zeel Patel’s lawsuit, filed on April 15 in U.S. District Court of Erie. Federal judge, W. Scott Hardy, granted a temporary restraining order on April 17, preventing the government from taking further action against the student for 14 days. The judge indicated that a hearing for a preliminary injunction could be scheduled if requested. Vraj Patel’s lawsuit, filed on April 16, received similar treatment, with the judge acknowledging the parallels between the two cases.
These lawsuits are part of a larger pattern of visa revocations affecting hundreds of international students across the country. Critics argue that these actions are part of a strategy to coerce students into self-deportation, undermining their rights and jeopardizing their futures. The plaintiffs contend that the terminations were illegal and have caused “imminent and real harm,” including emotional distress and financial loss.
The defendants in these cases include high-ranking officials such as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The lawsuits challenge the government’s rationale for the visa terminations, emphasizing the need for fair and transparent policies.
The temporary restraining orders granted by Judge Hardy provide a brief peace for the students, but the broader issues remain unresolved. As the legal battles continue, the focus will be on ensuring that policies affecting international students are just, equitable, and respectful of their contributions to society. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the principles of fairness and due process in all aspects of governance.
Recently Gannon sent out a message in the Maroon Minute under campus announcements stating that all international students had their visas reinstated. All the students who had them revoked had them reinstated over that last weekend. These reinstated visas are seen as a reflection of reversal for the administration after many students, nationwide, have won many legal challenges.
