Mass SEVIS Terminations Still Haunt F-1 OPT Status

An F-1 student who survived the earlier wave of SEVIS terminations now faces fresh trouble tied directly to that wrongful action. Even after official restoration, the impact continues. The issue now affects the student’s OPT process and legal certainty.

What Happened During SEVIS Terminations

In April, the US government abruptly terminated thousands of SEVIS records. International students on F, M, and J visas instantly fell out of legal status. Many records were restored only after lawsuits forced authorities to reverse those decisions.

SEVIS Restored But Damage Remains

One affected student saw their SEVIS record wrongfully terminated during that sweep. After legal intervention, authorities reinstated the F-1 status retroactively. On paper, the issue ended. In reality, the consequences did not.

OPT Application Hits a Wall

In July, the student applied for Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training. Months later, the USCIS case still shows pending with receipt notice. You get no updates, no movement, and no clarity on timelines.

Withdrawal Makes Things Worse

By September, the delay became unmanageable. The student withdrew the Pre-OPT application to apply for Post-Completion OPT instead. That decision only worsened the situation, as the USCIS case status still shows no progress.

No Response From Authorities

The student contacted the Designated School Official and raised a USCIS service request. They also reached out to their congressional representative. Despite these efforts, nothing changed and the case remains stalled.

The Ongoing Fallout for F-1 Students

This case reflects the quiet damage left behind by mass SEVIS terminations. Even after restoration, your record still triggers delays. OPT processing slows as systems flag these cases for extended background checks.

A Larger Pattern Emerging

The Trump administration claims over 85,000 visa holders were terminated for criminal reasons. Legal experts say many were wrongfully affected. Like this F-1 student, they continue to deal with consequences long after reinstatement.