A 21-year-old from Maharashtra is taking on the U.S. government over what he calls a life-altering decision made without warning.
Chinmay Deore had one goal when he moved to Detroit in 2021: to become a computer scientist. Now, that dream hangs in the balance as the Wayne State University undergrad has found himself in the middle of a federal immigration battle that’s threatening to deport him.
He’s not alone. Deore is one of four international students—alongside two from China and one from Nepal—who filed a lawsuit last week against the Department of Homeland Security and immigration officials. Their argument? That the U.S. government unlawfully stripped them of their legal status with zero explanation, notice, or opportunity to respond.
Lawsuit Targets DHS Over SEVIS Shutdown
The core of the lawsuit revolves around SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. According to court filings, the students’ F-1 statuses were “terminated unlawfully” in the system, which is critical for maintaining legal presence in the country.
One day they were legal. The next, they were flagged as overstaying students.
Deore, who enrolled in Wayne State’s undergraduate computer science program in August 2021, said he was blindsided. “I did everything by the book,” he said in a statement released through his attorneys. “I paid my tuition, attended my classes, reported my information. Then, suddenly, I’m told I’m not supposed to be here.”
The lawsuit, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan, is seeking an emergency injunction to reverse the SEVIS terminations while the case is heard. The ACLU alleges the terminations occurred without prior notice, a hearing, or even a clear reason.
Students Caught in Policy Whiplash
These students’ legal turmoil comes amid a sharp shift in immigration enforcement since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. His administration, now in its second term, has reignited many of the aggressive stances from his first presidency—this time with added speed.
From steep tariffs to strict border crackdowns, immigration policy under Trump 2.0 is fast, sweeping, and, some argue, chaotic. Critics say even legally compliant non-citizens are now at risk of collateral damage.
And international students—long seen as low-risk visitors—are increasingly caught in the net.
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Since January 2025, more than 6,000 F-1 visa holders have reported disruptions to their immigration records.
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At least 532,000 immigrants faced sudden legal status revocation under new executive directives, according to a federal judge’s ruling last week.
For students like Deore, there’s a chilling effect. “You’re living your life, trying to stay under the radar, just study. And then the government treats you like a threat,” said Xiangyun Bu, one of the co-plaintiffs from China.
Who Is Chinmay Deore?
Hailing from Nashik, Maharashtra, Deore arrived in the U.S. with a spotless record. He was just 17 when he got his visa, full of ambition and plans to work in artificial intelligence.
A quick scroll through his LinkedIn shows the usual trail of a young coder’s journey—Python projects, internships in India, and participation in university hackathons. Friends describe him as soft-spoken, diligent, and always the last one to leave the campus library.
“I came here because I believed in the American education system,” Deore said in his filing. “Now I’m scared to even go outside.”
His academic advisor confirmed his standing is in good order, and Wayne State has said it supports his continued enrollment. But without a valid SEVIS record, U.S. immigration law considers him unlawfully present—potentially a deportation case.
What the Lawsuit Argues
The legal challenge hinges on a simple claim: due process.
The ACLU asserts that the Department of Homeland Security violated both constitutional rights and administrative procedures by revoking status without notice. The students were allegedly not informed of any specific infractions and were given no opportunity to respond before the decision.
Here’s how the lawsuit breaks it down:
| Claim | Alleged Violation | Agency Involved |
|---|---|---|
| F-1 Termination | No prior notice or hearing | DHS, ICE, SEVIS |
| Due Process | Violation of 5th Amendment | DHS |
| Administrative Procedure Act | Arbitrary action, no explanation | DHS |
Lawyers argue that such actions undermine the entire structure of student immigration.
“We’re talking about young people who came here legally, followed every rule, and are now being treated like criminals without cause,” said Bonsitu Kitaba-Gaviglio, Deputy Legal Director at ACLU Michigan. “This isn’t just a policy failure—it’s a constitutional failure.”
What’s at Stake for International Students?
For Deore and the three other plaintiffs, the stakes are painfully clear: If they lose, they could be deported back to their home countries—and possibly banned from re-entering the U.S. for years.
But beyond them, the case could set a legal precedent affecting hundreds of thousands of students who rely on SEVIS to stay in status.
Already, the uncertainty is spreading.
Some universities in Michigan have begun issuing advisories to international students to “monitor their SEVIS records weekly.” Others are reportedly preparing for legal counseling sessions to support those affected.
There’s fear. There’s confusion. And there’s growing anger.
“I don’t know what else to do but fight,” said Yogesh Joshi, the Nepalese student also part of the lawsuit. “If they can do this to us, they can do this to anyone.”
