Penn State student sues Trump administration after his student visa was revoked
A Penn State international student sued the Trump administration Tuesday, arguing the federal government denied him due process when it suddenly revoked his student visa that permitted him to be in the U.S.
Pradyumna Vallabhajosyula, of India, asked U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann to stop the government from deporting him and to allow him to pursue his computer science degree at Penn State. He expected to graduate after the spring 2026 semester.
“Mr. Vallabhajosyula devoted himself to his studies, uprooting himself from him home country to build a career and seek a better future,” his attorney Mark Stevens wrote in the lawsuit. The revocation leaves him “unable to continue the academic program in which he has invested tens of thousands of dollars and three years of his life.”
The lawsuit was filed against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agencies did not immediately respond Wednesday to a message seeking comment.
Vallabhajosyula, 21, alleged ICE arbitrarily terminated his visa April 9. He was charged in January with a misdemeanor count of retail theft and entered a pre-trial intervention program two months later.
He did not enter a plea and was not convicted. Centre County Judge Julia Rater approved his early termination from the program and the charge was dismissed April 11.
At least 22 students had their visas revoked as of April 15, Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna told the Centre Daily Times. None of the students with revoked legal status were convicted, Cantorna said. All were on diversion programs, mostly due to retail theft and two due to DUI.
Penn State has neither shared how many students have been affected nor responded to inquiries asking why they won’t share that information when other universities have, including fellow Big Ten schools.
The Associated Press has found at least 1,024 students at 160 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated since late March.
Vallabhajosyula said he received an email about his visa revocation two days before the charge was dismissed. It warned that deportation could take place “at a time that does not allow the person being deported to secure possessions or conclude affairs in the United States.” It also said people may be deported somewhere other than their native country.
Vallabhajosyula also said in the lawsuit that he was not given an opportunity to contest the allegation.
“Mr. Vallabhajosyula urgently needs to be restored to student visa status so that he may continue the course of studies he has invested so much in,” Stevens wrote. “He also requires immediate restoration of status to avoid detention and removal.”
Stevens declined further comment Wednesday when reached by the CDT.
Students in other countries must meet a series of requirements to obtain a student visa. After gaining admission to a school in the U.S., students go through an application interview process.
They must remain in good standing, which includes maintaining a full academic program and may not engage in unauthorized employment.
U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard, told reporters in Centre County on Tuesday that there are consequences for international students who break the law, even if they are not convicted.
“They broke the law, though,” Thompson said. “And some of the things have been things like DUI or even shoplifting. And some folks may look at that and say, ‘Well, that’s not much. That’s a minor infraction.’ Bottom line is, though, being in our country under a visa is a privilege, and I don’t think we’re treating that any differently than what we have seen other countries do.”
Penn State has tried to reassure its university community, saying its more than 11,500 international faculty, staff and students are “vital members of our community.” Dozens of students protested earlier this month in downtown State College in support of immigrants and international students, urging the university to do more.
Vallabhajosyula’s lawsuit was assigned to Brann, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. No hearings were scheduled as of Wednesday afternoon.
This story was originally published April 23, 2025 at 4:03 PM.