Who Is Krish Isserdasani? Indian Student Wins Landmark US Court Order Halting Deportation

Krish Lal Isserdasani, a 21-year-old Indian student studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has secured an important legal triumph against the Trump administration’s persistent immigration crackdown. A federal court halted the government’s effort to deport him and permitted him to stay in the United States to finish his computer engineering degree.

On 15 April, a US District Court issued an order that restrained the Department of Homeland Security from cancelling his student visa or detaining him, weeks before his planned graduation in early May.

Who is Krish Lal Isserdasani?

Isserdasani, in his last few semesters working towards his computer engineering bachelor’s degree, had been studying through the F-1 visa program in the U.S. Suddenly, on April 4, his visa was revoked without notice after he had been arrested on November 22, 2024, on charges of alleged misdemeanour and disorderly conduct. The arrest was the result of a disagreement between friends following a night at a bar. Notably, no conviction was the result.

When his visa record was terminated in the government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVIS) database, Isserdasani approached the court through his attorney, Shabnam Lotfi, seeking emergency protection from deportation.

Court Condemns Arbitrary Action

In his ruling, US District Judge William Conley criticized the Donald Trump administration’s handling of Isserdasani’s case and called the decision to terminate his visa unjust.

“He was provided with no warning, no chance to clarify or defend himself, and no ability to clarify any possible misunderstanding before his F-1 student visa record was revoked in SEVIS,” the order read.

The court pointed out that canceling the visa without due process could have severe academic, financial, and personal implications for the student.

“Considering the extent of Isserdasani’s educational investment and possible loss resulting from being forced to depart from the United States without earning his degree, the court finds that Isserdasani persuasively establishes that he suffers irreparable injury for which he has no adequate remedy at law absent injunctive relief,” Judge Conley stated.

A hearing on a preliminary injunction has been set for April 28.

Impact on International Students on a Larger Scale

This court win is timely given that President Trump’s administration has canceled more than 1,300 international student visas since coming back to office in January. Isserdasani was one of 26 students at UW-Madison and one of 40 in the University of Wisconsin system affected by the new immigration enforcement.

Many students believe they were targeted due to racial profiling or minor, often non-criminal records. Isserdasani’s case has highlighted the growing concern over how these decisions are made and the lack of due process.

Legal Team Celebrates Landmark Win

Lawyer Shabnam Lotfi thinks this decision establishes an important precedent for other international students who are also being unfairly terminated. Her co-counsel, Veronica Sustic, said, “We’re thankful that the rule of law and justice have prevailed.”

“The government hasn’t given any legal basis for these illegal cancellations of innocent international students’ statuses, and we’re happy the Court realized that,” she continued.

As the hearing on April 28 draws near, the case of Krish Isserdasani remains the emblem of the continuing war on immigration policy, judicial fairness, and the rights of foreign students in America.