Blumenthal Statement on Trump Administration's Reinstatement of Student Visas

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the statement below after the Department of Justice announced in federal court that it would restore the visa registrations of thousands of foreign students studying in the United States:

“The Trump Administration’s pause of its cruel, draconian student visa policy is a relief, but may be only a temporary reprieve. President Trump may be only repackaging or rebranding this illegal visa revocation practice so we must continue the court challenges and legislative fight for due process. The students caught in the middle of the Trump Administration’s cruel web have endured weeks of uncertainty and fear. The world’s brightest minds will not bring their talents to our universities when they risk arbitrary removal at any moment.”

Last week, Blumenthal wrote Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons demanding an explanation for the Trump Administration’s seemingly arbitrary revocation of hundreds of student visas nationwide. The letter followed reporting that dozens of students in Connecticut may have had their legal status terminated via email without warning or explanation. The full text of the letter can be found here.

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