Matthew Ariwoola is a fourth-year Ph.D. student at the University of South Carolina (USC), studying ways to make medications more effective and teaching four undergraduate chemistry courses. Now he faces the threat of arrest and deportation as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suddenly and unilaterally terminated his F-1 student status.
On April 8, 2025, USC staff informed Ariwoola that he was unable to continue studying and teaching due to his immigration status as recorded in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This is the only reason that Ariwoola was given: “OTHER – Individual identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked. SEVIS record has been terminated.” Ariwoola has never been convicted of a crime—not even a traffic ticket.
Represented by the ACLU of South Carolina, Ariwoola is challenging this attempt to terminate his student status without any opportunity for due process.
Why this case?
Because Mr. Ariwoola was offered no opportunity to contest the decision, DHS violated his Fifth Amendment due process rights. Our lawsuit also alleges that DHS’s actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act. Ariwoola is asking the court to restore his valid F-1 student status so that he can continue to study and teach at USC.
The latest
On the evening of April 18, 2025, a federal judge issued a 14-day temporary restraining order against the heads of the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Ariwoola’s case. According to the judge’s order, Mr. Ariwoola can continue “to pursue his academic and employment pursuits.”
Mr. Ariwoola's student status was reactivated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), without explanation, on the night of April 24.
The defendants made a motion to suspend the preliminary injunction schedule in light of Mr. Ariwoola's updated status, but a federal judge denied that motion on April 30 and extended the temporary restraining order until May 16.
The case is ongoing.
