By Santee Law Offices – Representing Clients in Criminal Matters in Pennsylvania and in Immigration Matters Nationwide.
Pennsylvania immigration and criminal-defense attorney David S. Santee has been closely tracking federal enforcement trends and challenging legal issues that threaten the ability of international students to remain in the United States. And as summer begins, one urgent question has emerged:
“I’m an F-1 student studying in the U.S.—should I go home for the summer?”
Every year, students make international travel plans to reunite with family, intern abroad, or rest between semesters. But in 2025, even routine travel could put your legal status—and your academic future—at risk.
At Santee Law Offices, we are monitoring this issue daily and actively challenging new enforcement actions in federal court. If you're currently on an F-1 visa, here's what you need to know before you book a flight.
A Wave of Student Visa Revocations and SEVIS Record Terminations
In March 2025, the State Department began revoking a large number of F-1 visas held by students who were in the U.S. In most cases, the student received little or no explanation of the reason for the visa revocation. At the same time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminated thousands of student records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database—often with no advance notice or clear explanation.
The revocation of a student’s F-1 visa alone does not affect the student’s F-1 status in the U.S. The student may remain in the U.S. and continue attending class. The visa revocation becomes a problem only after the student leaves the U.S. and attempts to return.
When DHS terminated students’ SEVIS records, however, it created a problem for many students who had been fully compliant with all of the terms of their F-1 status. Every F-1 student is required to have an active SEVIS account. The school cannot document a student’s compliance without making an entry in SEVIS. For example, the school cannot confirm that a student is enrolled as a full-time student at the start of the next semester, cannot update the student’s address, and cannot approve the student for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Students Should Think Twice Before Leaving the U.S.
Unfortunately, many students decided to leave the U.S. after their visas were revoked and their SEVIS records were terminated. Now, in order to return, those students will be required to apply for a new F-1 visa. Attorney Santee is concerned that visa officers will refuse to issue a new F-1 visa to those students and they will be unable to return to the U.S. to complete their studies. There is generally no right to appeal a visa refusal or to challenge it in court.
If you are a student whose SEVIS record has been terminated, you have more legal remedies if you stay in the U.S.:
- If your SEVIS record was terminated because you violated your status, you may be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
- If you have not violated your F-1 status, then DHS may have terminated your SEVIS record illegally. You can file a federal lawsuit under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Attorney Santee is one of a group of attorneys who sued the federal government in April to have the SEVIS records restored. On April 24, DHS voluntarily reactivated the records.
- If you are placed in removal proceedings, you can challenge the grounds for deportation, especially if DHS had no legal authority to terminate your SEVIS record in the first place.
Even if your visa has not been revoked, you may face steep legal barriers when you attempt to return:
- A revoked SEVIS record may prevent you from returning to the U.S. entirely.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can deny entry at the airport—even with valid documents.
- Denied entries are not subject to appeal in federal court.
- CBP officers may cite INA § 212(a)(7) (lack of proper documentation) or § 212(a)(6)(C) (alleged misrepresentation), triggering years-long bars to reentry.
In short, the legal remedies available inside the U.S. often disappear the moment you leave.
Universities and News Outlets Are Issuing Warnings
This risk is not hypothetical. In March and April 2025, major universities—including NYU, UC Berkeley, and Brown—advised students to avoid international travel due to heightened scrutiny at U.S. borders.
According to national reports:
- DHS and the State Department are revoking F-1 visas, particularly for students in sensitive STEM fields.
- Social media content is being reviewed as part of security screening, with posts deemed politically sensitive reportedly flagged.
- Students have been denied entry at ports of entry without advance warning.
David S. Santee and Santee Law Offices Have Taken Legal Action
Santee Law Offices recently filed suit in federal court on behalf of a graduate student whose SEVIS record was terminated even though the student had not violated any of the terms of their F-1 status. The lawsuit claims DHS exceeded its legal authority under federal statutes and regulations and violated the plaintiff’s right to due process. Even though DHS voluntarily reactivated the SEVIS record, the Court has issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting DHS from terminating the SEVIS record again unless there are specific grounds under federal regulation.
This litigation highlights an important reality: remaining in the U.S. can preserve your ability to challenge unlawful enforcement actions. For students abroad, those protections may be out of reach.
Questions to Ask if You Have to Travel
We understand that traveling abroad is sometimes unavoidable and you may decide to leave the U.S. in spite of the risks. If you’re considering a trip abroad, ask yourself:
- Is my F-1 visa valid for reentry?
- Does my passport have at least six months of remaining validity?
- Have I fully complied with all F-1 status requirements?
- Is my I-20 current?
- Do I have a current travel signature on my I-20 (issued within the last six months)?
- Could I afford a delay if my visa is initially refused for “administrative processing”?
If the answer to any of these is “No” or “I’m not sure,” consult your DSO and an immigration attorney before finalizing travel plans.
What to Do If You’re Already Abroad and Encounter Trouble
If you’ve already left the U.S. and are facing SEVIS or visa complications:
- Contact your DSO immediately to verify your status and determine if a new I-20 is possible.
- Check the validity of your visa. Revocations can occur electronically without notice, even if your physical visa appears valid.
- Preserve all documents, including I-20s, school correspondence, travel itineraries, and DHS communications.
- Seek legal counsel immediately. While options are more limited once you’ve left the U.S., timely intervention may still preserve future eligibility or facilitate reentry.
Stay Informed. Stay Protected.
International students contribute immeasurably to the academic and cultural fabric of the United States. However, in 2025, shifting immigration enforcement trends have made even routine travel legally risky—especially for students relying on continued F-1 status to complete academic programs or begin OPT.
At Santee Law Offices, we represent F-1 visa holders and individuals navigating complex immigration issues across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and nationwide. Based in Media, PA, we frequently assist students from nearby institutions with large international communities—such as Penn, Drexel, Temple, Villanova, Swarthmore, and Rutgers–Camden—and we also advise clients across the country, including those attending major U.S. universities like NYU, USC, Purdue, UC Berkeley, and the University of Michigan.
Whether you’re studying locally or out of state, we provide strategic legal guidance tailored to your immigration goals. If you have questions about your SEVIS status, visa validity, or whether it’s safe to travel, contact Pennsylvania immigration attorney David S. Santee today. Get clear, informed legal guidance to protect your future in the U.S. before you make any travel decisions.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law changes frequently. Please consult a qualified immigration attorney to assess your specific situation.