Donald Trump’s Student Visa Plan Faces Setback in Ohio

In a major development challenging the Trump administration’s controversial immigration enforcement, a federal judge in Columbus has granted temporary legal relief to an Ohio State University (OSU) graduate student whose visa was revoked under new federal orders.

Background and Context

U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley issued a temporary restraining order on April 22 in favor of Prasanna Oruganti, a Ph.D. candidate in agricultural engineering at OSU. The restraining order directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to immediately reinstate Oruganti’s F-1 student visa. The court also barred the federal agencies from pursuing any detention or deportation actions in relation to her visa cancellation.

The legal action stems from President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14188, signed in early 2025, which aims to combat antisemitism. However, civil rights advocates say the order is being used to target international students involved in pro-Palestinian activism, raising free speech concerns.

Visa Revocation and Legal Dispute

Oruganti, originally from India, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against DHS and ICE officials on April 16. Her case challenges the revocation of her student visa, which put her research, income, and academic future at significant risk. The administration cited a 2020 minor misdemeanor driving offense in Missouri as the basis for her visa cancellation — a charge that was resolved with a $300 fine for defective vehicle equipment.

According to court filings, Oruganti plays an active role in OSU’s Department of Food, Agriculture, and Biomedical Engineering. She is one of at least 12 international students at OSU whose visas were recently terminated.

A Widening Crackdown

Another OSU student, Ahwar Sultan, also filed suit on April 16, alleging his visa was revoked due to his participation in peaceful pro-Palestinian protests on campus in April 2024. Homeland Security officials claim Sultan’s visa termination followed his arrest on April 25, 2024. He was ordered to complete 10 hours of community service and attend a civil discourse workshop—both of which he fulfilled.

Court documents further reveal that hundreds of international students nationwide have been affected. “Ms. Oruganti is one of hundreds, if not more, of students nationwide whose F-1 status was abruptly terminated by ICE during the week of April 7,” the filings state.

National Implications

The Ohio ruling follows a similar case in Georgia, where Judge Victoria M. Calvert ordered ICE to restore the legal status of 133 students affected by visa revocations. Her April 22 ruling includes a 14-day restraining order blocking further government action.

According to higher education sources, over 1,500 student visas have been revoked under the Trump administration’s renewed immigration measures.

Legal Counsel Speaks

Oruganti’s attorney, Emily Brown, criticized the administration’s actions, stating: “The Trump administration is revoking student visas for similarly baseless reasons, and we hope that they will cease their illegal action.”

What’s Next

A preliminary injunction hearing in Oruganti’s case is scheduled for May 8, where the court will decide whether to extend legal protections as the lawsuit progresses.