A federal court in the United States has temporarily halted the deportation of Nigerian PhD student, Matthew Ariwoola, following the wrongful revocation of his student visa amid President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown.
Ariwoola, a doctoral candidate in chemistry at the University of South Carolina, was abruptly removed from classes after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked his visa on April 8, 2025. Authorities linked him to a 2023 criminal warrant from Georgia—a state Ariwoola insists he has never visited—before later acknowledging it was a case of mistaken identity.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Carolina filed a lawsuit on his behalf, prompting U.S. District Judge Jacquelyn Austin to grant a temporary restraining order on April 18. The ruling paused his deportation and reinstated his access to academic resources. DHS also reactivated his student status in the SEVIS system.
After three extensions of the restraining order, Judge Austin issued a preliminary injunction on June 13, preventing any further action by the government while the case is ongoing. The court recognized the constitutional implications of the case and upheld its jurisdiction to intervene.
Reacting to the decision, Ariwoola expressed gratitude and hope.
“This victory, though temporary, is a huge source of hope for international students who are unfairly targeted,” he said. “I’m especially thankful to the ACLU-SC and the court for ensuring that justice prevails.”
The case has garnered national attention as international students increasingly face scrutiny under Trump’s second-term immigration policies. Ariwoola remains in the U.S., continuing his studies and awaiting the final resolution of his legal battle.