An Indian student, Chinmay Deore, has sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and immigration authorities, and three other Chinese and Nepalese students, alleging their student immigration status was ‘unlawfully’ cancelled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) due to inadequate notice and reason for the cancellation.
Who Is Chinmay Deore?
Chinmay Deore initially arrived in the U.S. along with his family on an H-4 dependent visa in 2004. They departed in 2008 but returned in 2014. Deore attended high school in Michigan before enrolling at Wayne State University under the H-4 status in August 2021 and pursuing computer science there since.
In May 2022, as his H-4 was about to expire, Deore requested the change to F-1 student status and was approved the status. His program will conclude in May 2025. Deore lives in Canton and had intended to seek OPT employment after graduation, as allowed under his F-1 status.
The complaint brought by Deore contends that ‘these terminations have put Plaintiffs’ education, research, and career trajectory at risk’. In particular, Deore is no longer able to apply for OPT or transfer his F-1 status to another institution for a master’s degree. He also lost a job he had while in his F-1 status, which earned him money for his living costs. Deore’s complaint also adds that if deported, he would be torn away from his parents and sister, who are living legally in Canton, Michigan.
On April 4, Wayne State University notified Deore that his F-1 student status in SEVIS had been terminated. The email from the university stated, “Our record indicates that your SEVIS has been terminated this morning- TERMINATION REASON: OTHERWISE FAILING TO MAINTAIN STATUS – Individual identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked. SEVIS record has been terminated.”
