Case: Deore v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary of
2:25-cv-11038 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Filed Date: April 10, 2025
Closed Date: May 29, 2025
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Case Summary
This case is one of numerous lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of immigration visas—mostly student or work visas—with no notice to the visa-holders and with dubious or no legal basis. You can see all of the cases here.
On April 10, 2025, the ACLU oof Michigan filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of four international students attending Michigan universities who had their F-1 student immigration status abruptly revoked. They named the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Acting Director of U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE), and the ICE Field Office Director of Detroit as Defendants. They alleged that Defendants' actions violated the Fifth Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act.
The case challenges the federal government’s April 2025 policy action in which DHS began unilaterally terminating SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records of foreign students across the country. The plaintiffs alleged that this effectively revoked their immigration status without explanation, notice, or a meaningful opportunity to respond. They claimed that DHS acted without statutory authority and in violation of both federal regulation (8 C.F.R. § 214.1(d)) and constitutional due process protections. Plaintiffs were never charged with any crimes, and their schools were unable to explain the terminations beyond vague references to “criminal records checks” or visa revocations. Plaintiffs asserted that these grounds were unlawful and unsupported by individualized findings.
On the same day the complaint was filed, plaintiffs moved for a temporary restraining order to reinstate their SEVIS records and halt removals. Judge Stephen J. Murphy III heard the motion on April 15, 2025. The government opposed, arguing that SEVIS termination does not automatically end F-1 status or trigger removal proceedings. On April 17, 2025, Judge Murphy denied the TRO in part, finding that plaintiffs had not yet established a likelihood of success on the merits or shown irreparable harm. 2025 WL 1303954. The court emphasized that the record was insufficient to determine whether SEVIS termination alone constitutes a revocation of lawful status or a final agency action reviewable under the APA (2025 WL 1009445).
The plaintiffs’ educational paths and employment were severely disrupted, with immediate implications for work authorizations, academic progress, and legal presence in the U.S. The court’s ruling deferred further injunctive relief to later proceedings, with briefing and a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for May 2025. This was later rescheduled to June 11, 2025. Before hearings convened, however, Plaintiffs and Defendants jointly stipulated to dismiss the case. This joint stipulation was approved on May 29, 2025, with Plaintiffs reserving the right to pursue separate litigation in the event that their SEVIS record is terminated
again.
This case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Karma Karira (4/22/2025)
Ben Hefter (1/22/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69875168/parties/deore-v-us-department-of-homeland-security-secretary-of/
Abrutyn, Russell R. (Michigan)
Carlson, Kevin Michael (Michigan)
Davidson, Syeda F. (Michigan)
Kitaba, Bonsitu A. (Michigan)
Korobkin, Daniel S. (Michigan)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69875168/deore-v-us-department-of-homeland-security-secretary-of/
Last updated April 20, 2026, 4 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump 1.0 & 2.0 Immigration Enforcement Order Challenges
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 10, 2025
Closing Date: May 29, 2025
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiffs are four international students from India, Nepal, and China enrolled at public universities in Michigan, whose lawful F-1 student status was abruptly terminated by federal immigration authorities without notice or explanation.
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Customs and Border Protection
Department of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Due Process: Procedural Due Process
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of Michigan 2:25-cv-11038
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order
Source of Relief:
Issues
Immigration/Border:
Case Summary of Deore v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary of, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/46378/ (last updated 1/22/2026).