COLUMBIA – A federal judge on Friday evening issued a temporary restraining order blocking the arrest, detention, or transportation of a fourth-year Ph.D. student at the University of South Carolina who was abruptly targeted for unexplained termination of his student status by the Trump administration.
The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina represents the student, Matthew Ariwoola, in this case.
"We're grateful that Matthew is able to return to his lab and lecture hall while courts around the country demand that Trump officials explain their actions,” said ACLU of South Carolina Legal Director Allen Chaney.
Ariwoola is one of approximately 1.2 million international students studying at our nation’s colleges and universities, and he is one of more than 1,500 students who are suddenly facing unexplained changes in their student status.
On Friday, April 18, the ACLU-SC filed a federal lawsuit challenging the termination of Ariwoola’s F-1 status without due process. This status, recorded in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), allows him to remain in the United States legally while attending school. At about 6:40 p.m. the same day, 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.” The case is ongoing. A copy of the judge’s order is available below and on the case page for Ariwoola v. Noem.
Mr. Ariwoola is not available for interviews at this time. Other members of ACLU-SC staff are available for interviews about the case and its significance. For more information about this case, including a copy of the initial complaint, see the ACLU-SC press release from Friday, “USC student conducting life-saving biochemical research challenges abrupt, unexplained termination of his immigration status.”
