U.S. Judge Temporarily Halts Deportation of Nigerian PhD Student Amid Trump Immigration Sweep

A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Nigerian PhD student Matthew Ariwoola, whose visa was wrongly revoked due to a mistaken criminal warrant, amid President Trump’s intensified immigration crackdown.

A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the U.S. government from deporting Nigerian chemistry scholar Matthew Ariwoola, whose student visa was abruptly revoked during President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown.

The legal battle began on April 8, 2025, when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) canceled Mr. Ariwoola’s visa, citing a mistaken criminal warrant issued in Georgia in 2023 — a state he had never visited. The cancellation immediately suspended his academic duties at the University of South Carolina, where he is pursuing a PhD in chemistry.

Fearing deportation and the loss of his student status, Mr. Ariwoola contacted the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina (ACLU-SC), which filed a lawsuit on April 18. That same day, Judge Jacquelyn Austin of the U.S. District Court in Columbia, South Carolina, granted a 14-day restraining order to stop the deportation.

The court also ordered Mr. Ariwoola’s student status restored, allowing him to resume research and teaching. On April 24, DHS reactivated his visa status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, which monitors international students in the U.S.

Judge Austin later extended the restraining order three times, culminating in a preliminary injunction on June 13 to halt any removal efforts until a final ruling is made.

In her ruling, Judge Austin stated that “each factor weighs in favour of issuing a preliminary injunction,” confirming the case met the legal standards for immediate judicial intervention.

Mr. Ariwoola is among thousands of international students affected by Trump’s strict immigration policies since his return to office in January 2025. The administration has aggressively pursued mass deportations, with student visa revocations becoming increasingly common.

Reacting to the court’s decision, Mr. Ariwoola expressed gratitude and called the development a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges.

“I am grateful for the quick turnaround and massive support from the community, especially ACLU-SC and the courts for ensuring that justice prevails,” Mr. Ariwoola said, according to a statement on the university’s website. “I believe this will encourage other international students in the same situation to speak up and stand firm for what is right.”

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, GAZETTE